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Programme Period: 5 years
Atlas Award ID: 00097902
Atlas Project ID: 00101450
GEF PIMS#: 6958
UNDP PIMS #: 5411
Start date: January, 2017
End Date December, 2021
Management Arrangements DIM
PAC Meeting Date TBD
United Nations Development Programme
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Project Document
Project Title: Conservation of globally important biodiversity and associated land and
forest resources of Western Tian Shan mountain ecosystems to support
sustainable livelihoods
Country Programme
Outcome(s) and Output(s):
Outcome 6: By the end of 2016 sustainable management of energy, environment
and natural resources practices operationalized
Output 6.1: Environmental sustainability/eco system approach and adaptation to
and mitigation of climate change consequences is reflected and integrated into
national, sectoral and local development plans
Executing Entity/
Implementing Partner: UNDP
Implementing Entity /
Responsible Partners: State Agency for Environment Protection and Forestry (SAEPF)
Agreed by (UNDP):
Mr. Alexander Avanessov Date/Month/Year
Resident Representative
Total budget USD 28,507,758
GEF USD 3,988,575
National Government USD 14,864,800
Local Government USD 3,200,000
UNDP USD 5,527,383
Bilateral Partners USD 627,000
NGOs USD 300,000
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Brief Description
The Western Tian Shan is one of the world’s 200 priority ecoregions and one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots, and
has been designated as a natural World Heritage Site. The Tian Shan act as a bridge connecting fauna and flora of
Himalayas and Hindu Kush across Pamir with biota of Siberia, and across Dzungar Ala-Tau and Altay with biota of
Mongolia, which results in a unique combination of fauna and flora elements. In the Western Tian Shan, fauna and
flora are characterized by high diversity and concentration in a relatively small area. In terms of flora, higher plants
number more than 2,500 species, and endemism of the flora is 12%; vertebrates number well over 400 species.
However, many of the Western Tian Shan’s species and unique ecosystems are threatened by poor forest and land
management; the region is home to 54 Red List plant species, and 27 Red List species of fauna, including the snow
leopard. The forests of Western Tian Shan have juniper, spruce, maple, nut, fruit, and tugai forest communities,
including fruit and nut wild relatives, but the regions forest resources are shrinking. These forests suffer from
inadequate forest management and enforcement, and are degraded by intensive land use, such as overgrazing of forest
pastures. The rate of natural regeneration and reforestation is unable to keep pace with the rate of forest degradation.
The grassland areas of the Western Tian Shan are subject to extensive, uncontrolled agro-pastoral land use. Growing
livestock numbers lead to extensive unregulated use of mountainous grasslands for grazing and causes high
disturbance to wild ungulates such as argali and ibex, key snow leopard prey species. The rangelands of Western Tian
Shan are susceptible to overgrazing, droughts, and inadequate natural regeneration in the face of these pressures.
Today, over 60% of pastures in Western Tian are eroded and the quality of pastures has declined by four times
compared to 1980s levels.
The proposed project draws on a landscape conservation and management approach, understanding that not only Key
Biodiversity Areas (KBA), but also buffer zones, corridors and sustainable forest and pasture management in wider
landscape are the key to the conservation of biodiversity, and the sustainable use of forest and land resources. This
includes the survival of snow leopard and its prey species, as well as sustainable local community development. The
project is organized into three components.
Component I is focused on key biodiversity areas: PAs and HCVFs. This includes operationalizing two new PAs
(87,323 ha) for underrepresented globally significant species that were formally established in anticipation of this
project. In addition, the management capacity for four previously established PAs (total of 198,776 ha) in the Western
Tian Shan will be strengthened. HCVF areas (40,839 ha) will be formally recognized and conserved, and enhanced
forest management capacity will be developed.
Component II will ensure continuity and congruence between KBAs and use of land and forest resources in wider
productive landscapes. There are two administrative districts adjoining to the PAs in question: Toktogul and Toguz-
Toro. The project will assist in integration of SFM and SLM approaches to improve land use practice reducing
degradation and erosion. For the two new protected areas buffer zones and corridors (50,000 ha) will be established
and integrated in spatial planning (with total indirect coverage of 944,317 ha), with modified resource use in these
areas focused on sustainable economic activities, such as managed hunting areas, regulated grazing, and ecotourism.
The project aims to institute SLM in pasturelands (147,268 ha) used by four target communities neighboring PAs,
which will lead to restoration of least 65,361 ha of degraded pastures in Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts. Targeted
restoration of degraded forest ecosystems will be undertaken of approximately 4,886 ha.
Component III links activities supporting snow leopard conservation under Components I and II with relevant activities
at the national level. This includes building the capacity of Kyrgyzstan stakeholders with respect to implementation of
the National Strategy for Snow Leopard Conservation (NSSLC) for 2013-2023. Support will be provided to deploy
unified international snow leopard monitoring standards, with support targeted to priority national snow leopard
conservation landscapes. It will also support application of international standards in wildlife trafficking enforcement,
and provide opportunities for appropriate trainings and exchange with other countries in the snow leopard range.
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CONTENTS
Contents ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Section I: Elaboration of the Narrative ............................................................................................ 7 PART I: Situation Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 7
Context and Global Significance ................................................................................................................ 7 Threats, Root Causes, and Impacts........................................................................................................... 24 Long-Term Solution and Barriers to Achieving the Solution .................................................................. 28 Stakeholder Analysis ................................................................................................................................ 31 Baseline Analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 32
Part II. Strategy .......................................................................................................................................... 36 Project Rationale and Policy Conformity ................................................................................................. 36 Rationale and Summary of GEF Alternative ............................................................................................ 38 Project Goal, Objective, Outcomes and Outputs/Activities ..................................................................... 43 Risk Assessment and Management .......................................................................................................... 57 Cost-Effectiveness .................................................................................................................................... 60 Country Ownership: Country Eligibility and Country Drivenness .......................................................... 61 Project Consistency with National Priorities / Plans ................................................................................ 62 Sustainability and Replicability ................................................................................................................ 63 Coordination with Other Related Initiatives ............................................................................................. 64 Gender Considerations ............................................................................................................................. 66
PART III. MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS ........................................................................ 69 Part IV. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework ................................................................................... 72
Monitoring and Reporting ........................................................................................................................ 72 Costed M&E Work Plan, with Roles, Responsibilities and Timing ........................................................ 74
Part V. Legal Context ................................................................................................................................ 75 AUDIT CLAUSE ........................................................................................................................................ 75
Section II. Strategic Results Framework ....................................................................................... 76
Section III. Total Budget and Work Plan ...................................................................................... 91
Annexes ............................................................................................................................................. 97 Annex 1: Additional Maps ......................................................................................................................... 97 Annex 2: Detailed National Context ......................................................................................................... 99 Annex 3: Local Context ........................................................................................................................... 110 Annex 4: Profile of the Project Planning Domain ................................................................................. 115 Annex 5: Detailed Description of Relevant Legislation and State Programs in Kyrgyzstan ............ 117 Annex 6: Additional Information on Environmental Threats in the Western Tian Shan ................. 121 Annex 7: SAEPF Organogram ................................................................................................................ 125 Annex 8: Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and Melioration Organogram .................... 126 Annex 9: Feasibility of the Alternative Livelihoods Program Supported through Microcredits ..... 127 Annex 10: Capacity Needs Assessment Summary ................................................................................. 135 Annex 11: Social and Environmental Screening Template .................................................................. 148 Annex 12: Project TORs for Key Positions ............................................................................................ 160 Annex 13: Co-financing Letters .............................................................................................................. 166 Annex 14: Justification for Expenditure Under Each ATLAS Budget Category and Alignment with
Local Benefits ............................................................................................................................................ 174 Annex 15: Share of Budget by ATLAS Cost Category Over 5-year Planned Implementation Period
for All Components .................................................................................................................................. 182
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ACRONYMS
ADB Asian Development Bank
A/A Aiyl Aimak, Rural District
A/O Aiyl Okmotu, Local Self-Government
APO Annual Plan of Operation
APR Annual Progress Report
ARIS Agency for Development and Investment of Communities (Rus)
ATLAS UN operations information system
AWP Annual Work Plan
BC Before Christ
BD Biodiversity
BD TT (GEF) Biodiversity Tracking Tool
BioFin UNDP Project to support sustainable financing for biodiversity conservation
CAMP Central Asia Mountain Partnership
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CBO Community Based Organization
CCD Convention to Combat Desertification
CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
CMS Convention on Migratory Species
CO (UNDP) Country Office
COP Conference of Parties
CPD Country Programme Document
CPAP Country Programme Action Plan
DC Dimension Chief
DIM Direct Implementation Mode
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid
DP
Department of Pastures under the Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and
Melioration
DRM Disaster Risk Management
DSA Daily Subsistence Allowance
EX-ACT Ex-Ante Carbon-balance Tool Developed by FAO
EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Bank
EEU Eurasian Economic Union
E-PMC Electronic Pasture Committee Information System
ERC (UNDP) Evaluation Resource Centre
EURECA Environmental Program of the European Union for Central Asia
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of UN
(UN)FCCC UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
FFI Flora and Fauna International (INGO)
FLERMONECA Forest and Biodiversity Governance Including Environmental Monitoring
FLEG Forest Law Enforcement and Governance in Central Asia
FMP Forest Management Plan
FSC Forest Stewardship Council, international organization promoting SFM certification
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GCF Green Climate Fund
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GEF Global Environment Facility
GIS Geographical Information System
GIZ German federal enterprise for international cooperation
GPS Global Positioning System
GSLEP Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystems Protection Programme
HCVF High Conservation Value Forest
HDI Human Development Index
HR Human Resources
IBA Important Bird Area
IDA International Development Assistance
IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development
INGO International Non Governmental Organizations
INRM Integrated Natural Resource Management
INTERPOL International Police Organization
IRRF (UNDP) Integrated Results and Resources Framework
IT Information Technology
IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature
JFM Joint Forest Management
KAFLU Kyrgyzstan Association of Forest and Land Users
KCBTA Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association
LU Livestock Unit (= 1 cow)
LD Land Degradation
LD PMAT TT (GEF) Land Degradation Portfolio Monitoring and Tracking Tool
MAPIM Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and Melioration
METT (Protected Areas Management) Monitoring Effectiveness Tracking Tool
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MONECA Environmental monitoring in Central Asia
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MSC Marine Stewardship Council, INGO promoting sustainable fishery
MSP (GEF) Medium-Size Project
MTR Mid-Term Review
MSME Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise
NABU Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (German INGO)
NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
NEAP National Environmental Action Plan
NGO Non-Government Organization
NSSD National Strategy for Sustainable Development
NSSLC National Strategy on Snow Leopard Conservation
NTFP Non Timber Forest Products
PAA Project Administrative Assistant
PA Protected Area
PB Project Board
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PC Project Coordinator
PIR Project Implementation Report
PIMS Project Information Management Systems
PMC Pasture Management Committee
PMP Pasture Management Plan
PMU Project Management Unit
PPA Program and Policy Analyst
PPCR Pilot Program on Climate Resilience
PPG Project Preparation Grant
PPR Project Progress Report
PTSD Program of Transition to Sustainable Development
PUA Pasture Users Association
QPR Quarterly Progress Report
RDF Rural Development Fund
RFNP Republic Fund for Nature Protection
RSC Regional Service Centre
RTA Regional Technical Adviser
SAEPF State Agency for Environment Protection and Forestry
SALAGIR State Agency on Local Self-Governance and Interethnic Relations
SC Steering Committee
SFF State Forest Fund (woodlands managed by the state forest management units)
SFM Sustainable Forest Management
SFM TT (GEF) SFM Tracking Tool
SMART Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
SLM Sustainable Land Management
SLT Snow Leopard Trust
SLF Snoe Leopard Fund
SIGI Social Institutions and Gender Index
SNP State Nature Park
SPNA Special Protected Nature Area
SRS State (real estate) Registration Service
ToR Terms of Reference
UN United Nations
UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNDAF UN Development Assistance Framework
UNESCO United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization
UNV UN Volunteers
WB World Bank
WHS World Heritage Site
WWF World Wide Fund for Nature
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SECTION I: ELABORATION OF THE NARRATIVE
PART I: Situation Analysis
Context and Global Significance
Geographical Context
1. Kyrgyzstan (officially known as the Kyrgyz Republic) is a landlocked country in the center of
Eurasia spanning an area of 199,900 square kilometers. It is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, China to
the east and southeast, Tajikistan to the southwest and Uzbekistan to the west (see Figure 1). Kyrgyzstan acts
as a natural crossroads between flora and fauna of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and China, which are different
biogeographic provinces. The Tian Shan and Alay ranges act as a bridge connecting fauna and flora of
Himalayas and Hindu Kush across Pamir with biota of Siberia, and across Dzhungar Ala-Tau and Altay with
biota of Mongolia. This geographic positioning result in a unique combination of different fauna and flora
elements, and underpins the significance of the biodiversity of Kyrgyzstan and the need for its conservation
in the regional context.
2. Altitudes in Kyrgyzstan range from 132 to 7,439 meters above sea level, with the mountain system
of the Tian Shan (merging into the Pamir-Alay in the south-west) accounting for approximately 90% of the
country’s area. The Tian Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan are generally described in several segments as
follows: Northern Tian Shan (Chui valley and Kungei Alatoo), Central Tian Shan (mostly Issyk Kul
province), Inner Tian Shan (Naryn province), Western Tian Shan (Talas and Jalal-Abad provinces) and
Southwest Tian Shan (Osh and Batken provinces). In terms of administrative boundaries, the Western Tian
Shan falls primarily within Jalal-Abad and Talas provinces. 3. The Western Tian Shan is located between 67 - 76º eastern longitudes and 40 - 45º northern
latitudes. The main axis of the Kyrgyz part of the Western Tian Shan is oriented from northwest to southeast,
and is formed by the Talas and Fergana ridges. The axis of the Chatkal ridge goes from the Talas ridge to
southwest. The Western Tian Shan are embedded between the Kyzyl-Kum and Moyun-Kum deserts, and
borders the Northern and Inner Tian Shan. From the north, northwest, and east it surrounds the Fergana
Valley, the edges of which form a portion of Kyrgyzstan’s western border with Uzbekistan. It differs from
other parts of Tian Shan with relatively weak glaciation, lesser altitudes, and relatively mild climate (average
atmospheric temperature in January is 5-10º С, and 10-15º С in July) with a fair quantity of precipitation
(800 and more millimeters in mid-mountainous areas). The irregular topography of the Western Tian Shan
has created numerous microclimates, depending on altitude terrain, topography of the site and exposure.
4. The Western Tian Shan does not have many lakes. The most well-known lake is Sary-Chelek, which
is encompassed within a biosphere reserve. Smaller moraine or dammed origin lakes are located in the
gorges of the tributaries of the main rivers of the area. All the rivers of the Western Tian Shan belong to the
Syr Darya River watershed, with multiple tributaries to the Syr Darya River. The largest river in Kyrgyzstan,
the Naryn River, runs through the territory of the Western Tian Shan, drawing 31% of the total surface
runoff of the country. The Kara-Darya, Kugart, Kara Unkur, Chatkal are also important rivers within the
Fergana Valley, irrigating large tracts of land. The main source of the rivers is the glacial and snowmelt from
the extensive alpine territory. Within Jalal-Abad province there are a number of artificial reservoirs on the
Naryn River, including Toktogul reservoir, which is the largest reservoir not only in the south of the Kyrgyz
Republic, but also in Central Asia. Toktogul reservoir has a capacity of 19.5 km3 of water.
5. Although the Tian Shan range lies in an arid part of Central Asia, the Tian Shan Mountains are high
enough to block moist arctic air from the northwest, especially during winter. At the higher elevations,
annual precipitation of 400 to 800 mm is enough to support subalpine conifer forests in some locations and a
variety of steppe and meadow communities, stratified by elevation, over extensive areas throughout the
range. At the lower elevations, annual precipitation totals of 100 to 200 mm support steppe grassland
vegetation.
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Figure 1 Map of the Kyrgyz Republic
6. The compound high altitude relief of Kyrgyzstan situated in the southern part of the temperate zone
creates favorable conditions for existence of many types of natural ecosystems, ranging from deserts to high
altitude mountainous tundra. There are 20 classes of ecosystems. The diversity of ecosystems, however, is
unevenly distributed within the country, being more richly represented in the Western Tian Shan and Central
Tian Shan bio-geographical regions, each having 16 out of 20 classes of ecosystems, or 72.7% of their whole
diversity. The rich diversity of plant and animal wealth can be attributed to the high mountainous systems of
Tian Shan and Pamir-Alay that reach up to 7,000 kilometers above sea level and accumulate moisture from
the upper reaches of the atmosphere. High mountains are islands of biological diversity among monotonous
plains.
7. According to studies conducted by national academia and foresters in the framework of the Kyrgyz-
Swiss Forestry Sector Support Program KIRFOR in 2006-2008, there are eight forest zones in the Kyrgyz
Republic1: (see also the map in Annex 1).
1) Turkestan-Alai area, with mostly juniper and shrubs; some broad-leaved species along floodplains;
conifers.
2) Fergana-Alai area, with mostly shrubs and juniper forests; conifers and broad-leaved species.
3) Fergana-Chatkal, where all forest types are present with most part of walnut trees; pistachios;
broadleaved forests.
4) Chatkal area, with mostly shrubs and juniper forests.
5) Talas area, with mostly shrubs and juniper forests; coniferous (spruce / fir); broad-leaved
(floodplain) species.
6) Chui-Kemin area, with mostly shrubs, juniper and conifer forests (eastern part) and broad-leaved
species along floodplains
7) Issyk-Kul area, dominated by conifers and shrubs with some juniper; broad-leaved along floodplains.
8) Inner Tian Shan area, mostly also dominated by conifers and shrubs with some juniper and broad-
leaved (floodplains).
Biodiversity Context
8. Kyrgyzstan lies squarely within the Mountains of Central Asia biodiversity hotspot, one of
Conservation International’s 34 global biodiversity hotspots and one of WWFs Global 200 priority
ecoregions for global conservation. Considering the high conservation value of the Western Tian Shan
transboundary ecoregion, in 2010 Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan applied to have the ecoregion
inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as a natural site possessing outstanding natural
characteristics. On July 17th 2016, during the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee in Istanbul, the
1 The Typology of Forests of the Kyrgyz Republic. Ennio Grisa, Bronislav Venglovsky, Zakir Sarymsakov, Gabriele
Carraro. SAEPF, Swiss Foundation Intercooperation in Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek, 2008.
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Western Tian Shan was approved as a World Heritage site. There are three wetlands of designated global
significance in Kyrgyzstan under the Ramsar Convention: Issyk-Kul, Song-Kul and Chatyr-Kul. There are
11 identified Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and two international biosphere reserves, Issyk-Kul and Sary-
Chelek.
9. There are a rich diversity of resources – species, ecosystems and landforms concentrated in the
Kyrgyz Republic. Despite the fact that the Kyrgyz Republic is a small country in terms its total area (0.13%
of the world’s land), it includes one of two hundred priority ecoregions on the planet. This is due to a high
concentration of species diversity; about 2% of the world’s known flora and 3% of the world’s known fauna
can be found in the country.2 Kyrgyzstan’s territory differs by its high level of biodiversity concentration not
only on ecosystem, but on species level too. About 26,500 types of plants, animals, fungi, viruses, and
bacteria have been recorded in the diverse ecosystems in the Kyrgyz Republic. The most extensive group in
the fauna of the Kyrgyz Republic is insects, represented by approximately 15,910 species. The list of
vertebrate animals now includes 593 species: 70 species of fish, 4 amphibians, 39 types of reptile, 396 bird
species, and 84 species of mammals. Additional detailed information about the national biodiversity context
is included in Annex 2.
10. In the Western Tian Shan, flora and fauna are characterized by high diversity and concentration in a
relatively small area. In terms of flora, currently, there are about 300 species of fungi (of which about 20-
30% have been studied), several hundred species of algae, and 100+ species of lichens and mosses (of which
not more than 50% have been studied). Of higher plants there are more than 2,500 species, covering 673
geneses and 109 families. Endemism of the flora is 12%.3 Kyrgyzstan is a sparsely wooded country. The
unique forests of Kyrgyzstan represent a great value in the Western Tian Shan, including: nuciferous (nut
bearing), wild fruit trees, juniper, fir, deciduous, and tugai forests. Forests are mainly represented in
mountain forest ecosystems, and about 90% of the forests are located at an altitude of 700 to 3,200 meters
above sea level. Due to their great ecological value, the unique forests of the Kyrgyz Republic play an
important role in the global processes of environmental control including water regulation and prevention of
the adverse effects of climate change. Kyrgyzstan’s Red List of species that occur in the Western Tian Shan
includes 54 higher plants, such as the Tian Shan Fir (Abies Semenovii), Eminium regelii, Eremurus zenaidae,
Water Lily Tulip (Tulipa kaufmanniana), Vitis usunachmatica - VU, Sorbus persica - VU, Styphnolobium
korolkowii - CR, Otostegia schennikovii - VU, Crataegus knorringiana – EN, and Spiraeanthus
schrenkianus - EN.
11. Vertebrate fauna in the Western Tian Shan is represented by 61 species of mammals, 316 species of
birds, 17 reptiles, 3 amphibians, and 31 species of fish. Currently there are about 10,000 observed insect
species belonging to 25 orders. In many groups of invertebrates there is a high level of endemism in the
species, genera, and higher systemic levels. Different groups of invertebrate fauna have only been studied
15-80%. Among the mammals are a variety of mountain ungulates, which are key prey species for snow
leopard, including argali mountain sheep (Ovis ammon), and Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica). The presence of
argali in the region has not been reconfirmed recently, but there is anecdotal evidence that populations of
argali use high altitude corridors of the Western Tian Shan for migration.
12. Among the Red List of fauna occurring in the Western Tian Shan are 27 species of birds and
mammals, including: snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Turkestan lynx (Lynx lynx isabellinus), Marco Polo
argali (Ovis ammon polii), Tian Shan white clawed bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus), cinereous vulture
(Aegypius monachus), and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos).4 The region is home to the endemic marmot
species (Marmota menzbieri – VU), which occurs only in the Western Tian Shan. The region is the former
range of the Dhole (Cuon alpinus - EN), although this species is most probably extinct in Kyrgyzstan. The
Tian Shan subspecies of argali (Ovis ammon karelini) is also found here. Further to those mentioned above,
Western Tian Shan Red List species include a butterfly (Papilio (s. str.) alexanor) – VU, and 11 nesting and
stop-over bird species such as eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca - VU), yellow-eyed pigeon (Columba
eversmanni - VU), Saker falcon (Falco cherrug - EN), lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni - VU), and Egyptian
vulture (Neophron percnopterus - EN). The impressive total species diversity of the Western Tian Shan,
together with abundance of endemics and high altitudinal variations, defines the high rate of species
distribution across habitats (high β-diversity).
2 Government of Kyrgyzstan, 2014. “The National report on the State of the Environment of the Kyrgyz republic for
2006-2011.” – B.: 2012. – 126 p. ISBN 978-9967-26-859-3.
3 E.J. Shukurov, O.V. Mitropolsky, V.N. Talsky, Zholdubaeva L.Y., Shevchenko V.V., 2005. “Atlas of the biodiversity
of the Western Tian Shan.” - Bishkek 2005, 103pp, 62 cards. 4 Ibid.
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13. To verify the biodiversity significance of the project sites a joint expedition of two institutes of
National Academy of Sciences (Institute for Biology and Soils and Forest Research Institute) and SAEPF
was conducted during the PPG phase, which confirmed the species list within the targeted region.
Snow Leopard and Prey Profile5
14. The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an apex predator that ranges across high alpine ecosystems of
twelve countries in central and southern Asia. The snow leopard’s total estimated range covers an area of
about 1.8 million km2, and the global population is estimated to be between 3,920 and 6,390 individuals.6
Snow leopards inhabit elevations of 2,500–4,500 m, but are found at lower elevations (900–1,500 m) in
northern parts of the range and in the Gobi Desert, and may exist up to 5,800m in the Himalaya and Qinghai-
Tibetan Plateau region. Snow leopards are highly adapted to life in the high altitude ecosystems of Central
Asia’s mountains. The snow leopard is rarely seen by humans, and primarily enjoys a solitary existence
among the cold rocky slopes. Home ranges vary from 12-39 km2 in productive habitats, to over 500 km2 in
areas of low prey density. Individual snow leopards move between 1 and 25 km per day on average,
depending on prey density and terrain. In most of their range, snow leopards favor steep, rugged terrain,
broken by cliffs, ridges, gullies, and rocky outcrops. They show a strong preference for steep irregular slopes
(in excess of 40°) and well-defined landform edges, such as ridgelines, bluffs and ravines, along which to
travel about their home range. In certain regions snow leopards may occupy relatively flat or rolling terrain
as long as there is sufficient hiding cover. In other areas, including the Tian Shan range, they can be found in
open coniferous forest, but usually avoid dense forest. They may move to lower elevations during the winter
to avoid deep snow and follow movements of their primary prey species.
15. The snow leopard is listed as globally Endangered according to the IUCN Red List, and the species
is listed under Appendix I (i.e. species threatened with extinction) of the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It is also listed under Appendix I of the
Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), and was later elevated to ‘requiring Concerted
Action’ in 2002 (Resolution 7.1). Snow leopards are suspected to have declined by at least 20% over the two
generations (16 years) from 1992-2008 due to habitat and prey base loss, and poaching and persecution.
Losses to poaching were most severe in the former Soviet Republics in the 1990s.
16. In Kyrgyzstan the snow leopard population was estimated in 2001 at between 150-500 individuals,
across an approximate suitable range of 89,000 km2 - 105,000 km2 in the country. Recent estimates put the
number of snow leopards in Kyrgyzstan between 300-400, but currently there is no fully validated data on
Kyrgyzstan’s snow leopard population. Researchers give the approximate number of snow leopards as 300;
the distribution of snow leopard needs to be further studied.7 The only reliable data on the numbers or
density of snow leopards is for the Sary-Ertash and Naryn nature reserves on the border of Inner and Central
Tian Shan, which was derived from long-term monitoring and confirmed by the laboratory analysis of the
genetic material. According to these data it is assumed that the density of the snow leopard within Sarychat
Ertash reserve reaches about 0.02 individuals per 1 sq.km. This is a relatively high density, which is found in
the specially protected conservation area. According to monitoring data, the population of the species on the
Kyrgyz ridge also has good status. It seems that the population of the snow leopard Kyrgyz ridge has a
connection with the Western Tian Shan population through the Talas Alatau mountain ridge. Data from
several of the current Western Tian Shan PAs – Sary-Chelek and Padysch-Ata reserves, and Kara-Buura
Nature Park – indicate the existence of a viable population of leopards in the Western Tian Shan.8 No
reliable monitoring data is available currently for all the other parts of the snow leopard habitat in the
country, and only anecdotal data exists; for example, during the project development phase the rangers at the
Kara Suu lake unit of Alatai Nature Park stated that a local had reported seeing a mother snow leopard and
cubs on the other side of a high-altitude ridge to the southwest of the PA.
17. Two biological factors that increase the snow leopard’s vulnerability to extinction are their low
densities (relative to other mammals, including their prey species) and relatively low recruitment rates
5 Sources: Jackson, R., Mallon, D., McCarthy, T., Chundaway, R.A. & Habib, B. 2008. Panthera uncia. The IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T22732A9381126, at http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22732/0, as accessed March
25, 2016. GSLEP, 2013. “Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Program: A New International Effort to Save
the Snow Leopard and Conserve High Mountain Ecosystems,” October 2013. WWF, 2015. “Fragile Connections: Snow
Leopards, People, Water and the Global Climate.” 6 GSLEP, 2013. “Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Program: A New International Effort to Save the Snow
Leopard and Conserve High Mountain Ecosystems,” October 2013. 7 National Strategy on Snow Leopard Conservation, 2012 8 National Strategy on Snow Leopard Conservation, 2012
11
(where few animals raise offspring which survive to join the breeding population, which has been
documented in a number of felid populations). Low densities means that relatively large areas are required
for conservation of viable populations; it has long been recognized that many protected areas are by
themselves too small to conserve viable snow leopard populations. Low recruitment rates also require larger
populations and larger areas to conserve viable populations, as well as mortality reduction in non-protected
areas to maintain population size through connectivity.
18. The snow leopard’s principal natural prey species are alpine ungulate species, such as the various
species of central Asian mountain sheep (in Kyrgyzstan, principally argali (Ovis ammon) including sub-
species) and ibex (Capra sibirica). Annual prey requirements are estimated at 20 to 30 adult sheep, with
radio-tracking data indicating such a kill every 10 to 15 days. A solitary leopard may remain on a kill for up
to a week. Currently in the Western Tian Shan, populations of argali are not clearly documented, and at
present snow leopard populations are suspected to rely heavily on ibex, as well as small mammals. Snow
leopards also prey on marmot (Marmota spp), pika (Ochotona spp.), hares (Lepus spp.), small rodents, and
game birds. In countries where there is high human use of snow leopard habitat, considerable predation is
reported on domestic livestock, though this is not currently considered a significant issue in Kyrgyzstan and
in the target region of this project, in the Western Tian Shan. Snow leopard habitat undergoes extensive agro-
pastoral land use, both within and outside protected areas. The inherently low wild ungulate density in the
snow leopard’s range, owing to relatively low primary productivity, is further exacerbated by prey declines
due to hunting for meat and competition with livestock. A declining prey base reduces habitat quality for
snow leopards and increases the chances for livestock depredation, an increasing likelihood in Kyrgyzstan.
Over or under-grazing of livestock leading to sub-optimum forage levels is one widespread cause of prey
base decline; reduction of the wild prey base from hunting is also significant in Kyrgyzstan.
Socio-Economic Context
19. Kyrgyzstan’s population in 2015 was 6,019,480 people, an increase of 124,438 people over 2014.
The female population is the majority, with 3,038,586 women, representing 50.48% of the total, compared to
2,980,894 or 49.52% men. Kyrgyzstan has 199,900 km² of land (86th rank in the world). Kyrgyzstan has a
moderate population density, with 29.5 people per sq km (187th). There are about 31 cities and towns, home
to 35% of the total population, with the remaining 65% living in approximately 1,800 villages clustered into
453 aiyl aimaks9 spread in lowland and mountainous valleys along rivers and streams. The largest ethnic
group, the Kyrgyz, account for 72% of the population. Other ethnic groups in Kyrgyzstan include Uzbeks
(14.5%), Russians (9.0%), Dungans (1.9%), Uyghurs (1.1%), Tajiks (1.1%), Kazakhs (0.7%), and
Ukrainians (0.5%). There are more than 80 different ethnic groups in total in Kyrgyzstan.
20. The country’s economically active population is 2.5 million people with 91.6 % employed. The
number of unemployed has reached 210,400 of which 46.5 % are women. The overall unemployment rate in
2015 was is 8.0%. Kyrgyzstan’s HDI value for 2014 is 0.655, which put the country in the medium human
development category—positioning it at 120 out of 188 countries and territories. As of 2015, 32.1 % of
population lives below the poverty line, and the poverty level has declined 5.9 points since 2012, while the
poverty depth has remained almost the same reaching 5.9%. The largest part of poor population lives in rural
areas. Thus, while 1.93 million people lived below the poverty line in 2015 in the country, 67.7 % of them
were rural citizens. Livelihoods and the income of poor families in rural areas substantially depend on
natural resources and environment; therefore the population’s living standards largely depend on safe and
productive environment. Significant regional imbalances remains in relation to poverty levels. The highest
poverty level has been noted in Jalal-Abad oblast (45.1%), Batken (41.2%) and Naryn oblast (38.0%).10
21. Kyrgyzstan´s economy is highly dependent on the exports of gold and other precious metals and
stones (34% of total exports). Other exports include: oil, gas and other mineral products (15% of total
exports), textiles (12%), vegetables (9%) and transport equipment (8%). The Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
of the country was $7.46 billion USD in 2014, with a GDP per capita of $1,279 USD. Economic growth has
slowed to 3.5% in 2015 (from 4% in 2014) as activity slowed in almost all sectors.11 Thus, growth in
industry slowed to 1.4% in 2015 from 5.7% in 2014 as gold production halved and output fell in textiles and
electricity. Expansion in construction halved to 13.9% from 27.1% in 2014 with less growth in investment,
and growth in services declined to 3.7% from 4.6%, reflecting slowdowns in transport and retail trade.
9 The site of the State Agency for Local Self-Governance and Interethnic Relations under the Government of the
Kyrgyz Republic – http://gamsumo.gov.kg 10 National Statistics Committee, 2015. 11 http://databank.worldbank.org
12
22. Official government statistics estimated the size of the informal economy in the Kyrgyz Republic,
excluding agriculture, at 19.9% of the GDP in 2012, i.e. more than double the estimate of 8.4% in 1995.12
However, this may not capture the full size and importance of the informal economy, as others estimate it as
25%–80% of GDP. In a recent survey of 1,200 businesses, 44% of the respondents said that this shadow
economy accounted for more than 50% of the Kyrgyz Republic’s economy.13 The reasons for the informal
economy’s high share of output include the difficulties of registering and measuring economic activity and
the intentional evasion of taxes and laws that confirmed by the low confidence to state bodies’ index. Private
consumption, trade, including re-export, as well as remittances, investments and, to a lesser extent, foreign
assistance are the main drivers of the national economy growth. It should be also noted that more than half of
the growth came from the expansion of the services sector. In the services sector, transport and
communications is the fastest-growing subsector partly because of the country’s rising volumes of trade, as
well as the expansion of mobile telecommunications during 2006–2013. The rapid growth of mobile
telephones ended in 2013 when the subscriptions were estimated at 6.7 million or 121.5 per 100
inhabitants.14
23. Agriculture is still one of leading sectors of the national economy in terms of added value and
employment. About 3.2 million people (65% of the total population) live in rural areas. In 2014, about
727,400 people or 31.6% of the total economically active population has been engaged in agriculture and
forestry.15 Thus, the agricultural sector has crucial social significance and remains important for livelihoods
of a majority of the Kyrgyz people. However the average gross added value growth in agriculture is
comparatively slower than of the national indicators: 2.1% in 2012, against 3.2 % in 2001-2012, which is
considerable lower than 4.3% GDP growth in the same period. The average salary in agriculture is the lowest
in comparison with other sectors; in 2011 the average salary was 4,784 soms or 51.4% of the average salary
in the country.16
24. Accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is expected to boost trade and transportation of
agriculture commodities and products, though demand in the EEU is weakening and the need to raise tariffs
to EEU levels may shrink trade with economies outside the union. Nevertheless, those expectations
facilitated the growth of agricultural production in 2015 by 6.2% after a 0.5% decline in 2014. However,
regaining an upward-growth trajectory will require greater investment in production and processing
technologies; better management of common resources (especially irrigation water and pastures); and
focused efforts to increase the competitiveness of Kyrgyz products and their access to the markets of
neighboring countries.
Land Tenure
25. In its first two decades of existence, the Government of Kyrgyzstan transformed the core sector of its
economy – agriculture – by abolishing state-owned and collectively operated production enterprises in favor
of privately owned and operated smallholder, peasant farms and house garden plots. This transformation was
accompanied by rapid rates of growth in agricultural output. These reforms, which were strongly supported
by international donors, defined Kyrgyzstan as a market-oriented economy and enabled it to be reasonably
successful in giving all Kyrgyz citizens a stake in the country‘s future. While the post-Soviet period was
ushered in by a short period of economic collapse, after the more privatized agricultural operations were
established, average rates of growth were among the best in Central Asia.
26. Growth in Kyrgyzstan faltered during the 2008–2009 global economic downturn, and an outbreak of
political instability in 2010 raised uncertainties about the future. While water and land use issues had
reportedly fueled earlier conflicts between Uzbek and Kyrgyz populations, the cause of the 2010 conflict was
in the view of some reporters more complex, reflecting broader concerns related to political power and
economic opportunity. However, the national government has made efforts to restore order and is likely to
continue to respond to what seems to be a strong consensus that new initiatives are needed to boost
agriculture-based economic growth to levels high enough to further reduce poverty. For this to happen,
greater attention to issues of both property rights and land resource governance will be required.
12 National Statistics Committee data. 13 Centre for International Private Enterprise. 2011. Priorities and Need for Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic. 14 National Statistics Committee. 15 National Statistics Committee. Kyrgyzstan in Figures. Bishkek 2015. (Кыргызстан в цифрах. НСК КР, -Б., 2015 г.) 16 National Strategy of Sustainable Development for 2013-2017. (Национальная стратегия устойчивого развития на
2013-2017 гг.)
13
27. Agriculture lands comprise 32.8 % of the national territory, including 12% or 1,276,600 ha of arable
lands and 89% or 9,040,200 ha of pasturelands, perennials made up 75,000 ha or 0.7 %, 168,400 ha of
hayfields – 1.9%, and 38,600 ha of fallow lands – 0.4%.17 The composition of agriculture lands is presented
in Figure 2.
Figure 2 Composition of Agricultural Lands (2014)
28. In 2014, 384,871 agriculture producers were registered in Kyrgyzstan, including 384,318 (98%)
individual farmers18 with the average arable land plot of 2.7 ha, including 1.9 ha of irrigated land. The
principle of social justice that was observed during the land reform (1998-present) resulted in excessive
fragmentation of land parcels, which led to de-industrialization of the sector, loss of agricultural technologies
that hindered overall agriculture sector development. However, it should be noted that today about 98% of
agriculture commodities are produced by the private sector.19
Forests and Livelihoods
29. As of January 1, 2013, the State Forest Fund20 lands occupies 2,619,675.5 ha, including 870,882.8 ha
of PA forests and 1,135,526.8 ha of managed forestlands; this equates to 5.68% of the total area of the
country.21 Forestlands are dominated by spruce in the northeast, and fir, juniper and various shrubs in the
Western Tian Shan. In the dryer and warmer region in the south, forests are composed of a mix of walnut,
maple, apple, cherry, plum, and almond trees. Figure 3 below shows the three major forest belts in
Kyrgyzstan. In addition, tugai forests made up of willows, poplars and various shrubs can be found in valleys
along major rivers. (See Figure 3). About 90% of forests in Kyrgyzstan grow at altitudes ranging from 700 to
3,600m.
30. Recognizing their great ecological value, according to the Forest Code all the forests of the Kyrgyz
Republic are classified as performing environmental, sanitation, health and other environmental functions,
and bans commercial harvesting. The high priority for conserving the values of Kyrgyz forests is clearly
reflected in the current national forest policy and legislation, which put in place the Law on prohibition of
felling, transportation, trade and processing of high (conservation) value tree species (walnut, juniper, etc.).22
Thus, silvicultural activities at present are reduced to sanitary and maintenance felling to support natural
regeneration in those forests. Though forest management units perform felling of other forest species aligned
with the Forest Code provisions. The volume of annual stock growth has never been considered as decisive
in this country forestry.
31. To maintain forest ecosystems resilience and responding to that growing demand SAEPF is
undertaking considerable efforts on forest restoration, implementing reforestation and afforestation activities
every year on the area of about 1,000 ha.
17 National Statistics Committee. Statistics Reference-book Environment of the Kyrgyz Republic in 2009-2013,
Bishkek, 2014. 18 Ibid.
19 National Strategy of Sustainable Development for 2013-2017.
20 Woodlands under state governance. 21 Inventory data of the Forest Fund, 2013. 22 Adopted by the Parliament on February 12, 2007 # 15.
14
32. About 935,000 ha, or one-third of the State Forest Fund (SFF), is sub-alpine and alpine meadows and
steppe grasslands. Being within protected forest areas, they are noticeably less deteriorated and degraded
than rangelands of the municipal lands. In addition, these pastures are often located at the average altitude
between winter and summer pastures. In some localities it is impossible to reach summer alpine pastures
avoiding SFF lands. Grasslands within SFF are also leased out for making hay for winter fodder. With the
increasing dependency of the rural population on agriculture, especially on livestock, the intensity and
expansion of use of grasslands also will increase.
33. About 277,000 ha of forests located on municipal lands of local communities. These open stands
playing a huge environmental role are under pressure from communities for timber and firewood. Indeed
they are to be managed by local State Administrations or rural communities Self-Governments.23 However,
with the weak legal framework, absence of inventory data of these lands and limited capacities as well as
lack of awareness, those actors don’t feel as responsible for management of these forest resources. This
results in a rapid depletion of these resources.
Figure 3 Main Forest Belts of Kyrgyzstan24
Pastures and Husbandry
34. Livestock output makes up almost half of the total agricultural output, while forestry output accounts
for less than 1%. A recent baseline survey for IFAD’s Livestock and Market Development Project noted that
about 90% of the rural population owns livestock.25 Livestock is used for various traditional ceremonies and
events as well as function as rural savings accounts where animals can be sold to cope with sudden financial
needs. The overall number of livestock is steadily growing. Animal husbandry is especially prevalent in all
the mountainous regions of the Kyrgyz Republic, where other economic opportunities are limited. The
number of livestock has been increasing rapidly during the last decade. According to official data, there were
about 5.6 million sheep and goats in Kyrgyzstan in 2013, but anecdotal evidence suggests that this number is
significantly underestimated, with the real number of sheep and goats likely approaching 8 million.
35. Natural pastures are the principal source of forage and fodder for livestock. A very small area, only
about 330,000 ha 26 of arable land and hayfields in Kyrgyzstan, is used for fodder crops (compared to about 9
million ha of natural pasture land). Although this cultivated fodder area expands every year to respond to the
23 Kyrgyz Government Resolution #407 on Approval of the Results of the National Forest Inventory in the Kyrgyz
Republic, July 26, 2011. 24 Kyrgyz-Swiss Forestry Support Programme, Intercooperation, Bishkek, 2006. 25 Kyrgyz Republic. Communities, Forest and Pastures. World Bank, 2015 26 National Statistics Committee.
I – Spruce Forests
II – Walnut–Fruit Forests
III – Juniper Forests
I
III
II
15
growing livestock number, it is still far from sufficient to feed even the officially declared livestock
population over the winter. Thus, natural pastures remain the primary source of fodder and forage year
round, with the meadows in the sub-alpine and alpine zones used for summer grazing, and foothills
providing grazing areas in spring, autumn and winter. In Kyrgyzstan on the whole, mountainous pastures
cover 40% of the territory, providing livelihoods for 65% of people.
36. Land categories defined by the country’s Land Code according to their designated use create
confusion resulting from there being several types of overlapping uses and users on the same area of land,
making land use trends difficult to monitor. The management of rangelands is divided between several
institutions: rangelands within the State Forestry Fund or lands under Specially Protected Areas are managed
by the SAEPF. The rangelands classified as major part of state-owned agriculture lands are managed by the
local Self-Governments and the Pasture Users’ Associations (PUA) according to the Law on Pastures (2009).
However, low awareness about different and not coordinated management objectives of SAEPF and local
communities Self-Governments, as well as sometimes-unclear administrative boundaries between these two
types of pastures, create numerous conflicts.
Protected Areas
37. Developing networks of specially protected nature areas (SPNA) is one of the means to provide
long-term conservation of biological and landscape diversity of national, regional, and global importance.
Kyrgyzstan has been carrying out sequential actions towards the ecological network establishment inside the
country as well as regionally. The national SPNA system is established and developing based on national
legislations and international agreements ratified by the Kyrgyz Republic.
38. The Law on Special Protected Nature Areas (2011) brought about a radical redefinition of its
components in conformity with IUCN recommended PA categories and management priorities. The Law on
SPNA provides the legal basis for planning and management of a network of SPNAs. The law establishes the
different categories of SPNAs according to their management objectives. There are seven types of SPNAs
established in Kyrgyzstan with the corresponding IUCN PA categories:
1. State Nature Reserves (IUCN Category I);
2. State Nature Parks (IUCN Category II);
3. State Natural Monuments (IUCN Category III);
4. State nature habitat/species management areas/ Sanctuaries, Zakaznik (IUCN Category IV);
5. State Botanical gardens, Dendrological and Zoological parks;
6. Biosphere Territories and/or Reserves;
7. Transboundary Protected Areas.
39. The system of Specially Protected Nature Areas (SPNA) consists of 89 PAs covering an estimated
7.6% of the country, all of which are under the direct or indirect responsibility of the State Agency for
Environment Protection and Forestry; this is an increase from 3.9% at independence. Today, 11 state nature
reserves and 12 state nature parks are under the management of SAEPF. Conservation of biodiversity and
ecosystems through extension of SPNA up to 7% of the national territory was one of the strategic targets of
Kyrgyzstan in transiting to sustainable development set up by the government of the Kyrgyz Republic.27 This
indicator was successfully achieved and exceeded in 2016 also with the support of the GEF and UNDP’s
contribution to the development of SPNA system in Kyrgyzstan. A map of the main protected areas of
Kyrgyzstan is shown in Figure 4 below. Three state nature parks - Alatai, Kan-Achuu and Khan-Tengri have
been established in 2015-2016 (and are not included in the map). An additional older map of Kyrgyzstan’s
PAs is included in Annex 1, showing landforms as well.
40. There are 19 state natural monuments representing IUCN Category III, usually also called geological
sights or zakazniks. They include picturesque waterfalls, caves, rock formations, springs, etc. The state
nature habitat/species management areas, including botanical, forest, game and complex reserves, which
could be also called sanctuaries, are designated to assure conservation of some specific components of
ecosystems, i.e. species and their habitat by, introducing special regime of use. This category includes four
types of SPNAs or zakazniks, which are botanical, forest, game or zoological and complex reserves.
27 Programme and Action plan on Transition to Sustainable Development for 2013-2017, approved by Governmental
Resolution as of30.04.2013 # 218.
16
Figure 4 Protected Areas of Kyrgyzstan (2015)
41. The snow leopard as an indicator of high mountains ecosystems health was always on focus of the
biodiversity conservation in Kyrgyzstan. However, due to difficult monitoring conditions, only one PA has
been specifically established in Kyrgyzstan for snow leopard and prey habitat conservation – the State
Nature Reserve Sarychat-Ertash in the Central Tian Shan region, in 1995. Growing attention to snow leopard
conservation efforts undertaken by Kyrgyzstan in recent years, including the Global Summit of the snow
leopard range countries, and the corresponding 2013 Bishkek Declaration adopted there, resulted in
development of the National Strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic on Snow Leopard Conservation adopted by the
Government in 2012. It promotes snow leopard and prey conservation aspects for all other PAs of the
country, facilitating the establishment of new PAs targeting snow leopards and prey. Kyrgyzstan is applying
to the GEF for the current project to strengthen PAs and foster the focus on snow leopard for further
implementation of its national snow leopard strategy. Contributing to the project’s justification, the
Government of Kyrgyzstan established the two new protected areas of Alatai and Kan-Achuu, which
expands the area of snow leopard and prey habitat covered by the PA system.
42. The National Academy of Sciences, together with FFI,28 identified the SPNAs with snow leopard
habitats in Kyrgyzstan (see Table 1 below), excluding the three newly established PAs. The total area of
suitable snow leopard habitat is estimated at 89,000 – 105,000 km2, and the area of snow leopard habitat
covered by protected areas is more than 11,000 km2, or about 11% of the total snow leopard habitat in the
country.
Table 1 Protected Areas with Snow Leopard Habitat
Protected Area IUCN Category Area (km2) Ala-Archa State National Nature Park II 194
Besh-Aral State Reserve Ia 632
Chon-Kemin State National Nature Park II 1236
28 Aspects of Transboundary Snow Leopard Conservation in Central Asia. Report of the FFI/CMS Workshop, Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan, 1-2 December, 2014
17
Protected Area IUCN Category Area (km2) Kara-Kol State National Nature Park II 160
Kara-Buura State Reserve Ia 114
Kara-Shoro State National Nature Park II 1220
Karatal-Japyryk State Reserve 1a 364
Khan-Tengri State National Nature Park II 3257
Kulun-Ata State National Nature Park II 277
Naryn State Reserve Ia / IV 183 / 400
Padysha-Ata State Reserve 1a 305
Sarychat-Ertash State Reserve 1a / IV 720 / 1341
Sary-Chelek Biosphere State Reserve 1a 232
Jany-Oguz State Sanctuary (zakaznik) IV 300
Kensyy State Sanctuary (zakaznik) IV ?
Tyup State Sanctuary (zakaznik) IV 150
Source: Mallon, Kulikov (FFI), 2015
Institutional Context
43. The national policy of biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management is pursued by the
State Agency on Environment Protection and Forestry (SAEPF) under the Government of the Kyrgyz
Republic, comprising several departments dealing with the PAs, forestry and hunting systems operations and
development. Along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SAEPF is a focal point for two project-relevant
UN Conventions: CBD and FCCC, as well as an operational focal point for GEF and GCF.
44. Established by the Governmental resolution in 2009,29 as per organizational regulations, the SAEPF
has the goal to assure conservation of the unique ecosystems of the Kyrgyz Republic and environmental
protection for the present and future generations,30 which is clearly referring to sustainable development
focus of SAEPF.
45. Three objectives are defined under overall goal:
Implementation of the policy on regulation of environment protection and natural resources
management as well as accounting, assessment of the conditions of nature components and
resources, including game inventory and management;
Prevention of negative impacts of planned governance, economic and other activities on environment
by conducting the state ecological expertise;
Establishment and development of the international cooperation in the sphere of environment
protection and security and natural resource management.
46. The Central Office of SAEPF implements the main functions of a) sectoral policy development and
implementation; b) environment protection regulation, including state ecological expertise, licensing,
accounting and assessing natural complexes and objects including endangered ones, as well as polluting,
fixing the hunting seasons date and quota of game and fish; c) coordination of flora and fauna cadastres,
natural resource use, forestry, implementation of 12 signed international conventions for which SAEPF is
responsible, etc.; d) service provision as per approved list of state services; e) supporting nature protection
activities from the funds accumulated by the Republic Nature Protection and Forestry Development Fund.
47. The SAEPF staff number is defined by the Government, and in 2014 comprised 2,052 persons,
including 59 in the Central Office, 1,893 in subordinated bodies and 100 in the territorial departments. The
SAEPF organogram is presented in Annex 4 of this project document.
48. SAEPF Department of Forest Ecosystems and SPNA is operating as an independent judicial entity,
following up corresponding regulations by the Government.31 Among its main objectives defined in the
regulations are the following:
a. Assure stability of forest ecosystem, increase of forest cover and deployment of the innovative
forest management methods;
b. Provide forest resources accounting and assessment and regulation of forest use;
c. Prevent negative impacts of planned economic activity of forest ecosystems and SPNA;
d. Support to forest users aimed to implement forest management activities, pest control, anti fire
actions, biodiversity conservation and rational use of timber and non-timber forest products;
29 Governmental Resolution “On The Structure of the Government” as of October 26, 2009, № 425. 30 As per redaction of Governmental Resolution as of May 31, 2013 N 308 31 Governmental Resolution as of March 13, 2014, № 173.
18
e. Assure biodiversity conservation by providing ecological, economic, and scientific arguments
for SPNA network expansion;
f. Assure access to information and decision making process for all the stakeholders.
49. At the local level, this department has 50 field state forest management units, i.e. leskhozes and 23
PAs operating as independent judicial entities under the SAEPF.
50. Department of Forest and Hunting Inventory and Management Planning is also operating as an
independent judicial entity under SAEPF, following up corresponding regulations adopted by the
Governmental Resolution.32 Its main functions include forest, SPNA and hunting lands inventory,
establishment, upgrading and management of the forest lands data bases, forest cadaster management,
cartography materials development for forest management units, SPNA and hunting service providers.
51. Department of the Rational Use of the Natural Resources is also operating as an independent judicial
entity under SAEPF, as per the regulations adopted by the Government.33 Its main functions include
regulation of the hunting activities, licensing hunters, monitoring hunting grounds conditions, game
inventory, establishment, upgrading and management of the game- wildlife data bases, game resources
cadaster management, monitoring of the hunting seasons and quota follow-up, patrolling and anti-poaching
activities implementation on the hunting grounds lands.
52. Additionally, SAEPF hosts the Working Secretariat of the GSLEP, which is currently operating as a
Programme Implementation Unit.
53. The Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and Melioration (MAPIM), which is alongside
with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the operational focal point of the UN Convention to Combat
Desertification (CCD). According to its regulations one the main functions of MAM is identification of land
use priorities. Thus, MAPIM is a main authorized body to develop land management policy and legislation
including sectoral development programs and plans. The MAPIM organogram is included in Annex 4 of this
project document.
54. As per MAPIM regulations,34 it is the main state executive body implementing state policy in
agriculture, land and water resources, and irrigation and melioration infrastructure, as well as agriculture
commodity processing industry. The main goal of the MAPIM is assuring food security and agriculture
production and processing development. It is responsible for development of the national policy on
agriculture, water, fishery and aquaculture, and processing industry development as well as assuring
veterinary and phyto-sanitary security, and safe use of pesticides and agri-chemicals. In addition, MAPIM is
responsible for water use management including transboundary water sharing and cooperation. MAPIM is
also responsible to implement activities on land and soils protection from degradation and land use borders
demarcation.35
55. The Department of Pastures (DP) is an independent judicial entity operating under MAPIM
according to corresponding regulations approved by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.36 The
conservation and improvement of pasture ecosystems and pasture infrastructure to assure food security is the
main goal of DP. For this three objectives were defined: 1) implementation of the state policy in the domain
of state owned pasture management, use and improvement; 2) organization an implementation of pasture use
and conditions monitoring as well as related assets; and 3) organization of sustainable management and
effective use of pastures based on active engagement of local communities. It is also responsible for
development of the pasture management related legal acts, community based pasture management control
and consulting pasture related issues.
56. The State Design Institute for Land Management “Kyrgyzgiprozem” acts as a state owned service
provider. Among its main services are the following:
Inventory of agricultural lands, lands of urban and rural settlements, State Agricultural Lands Fund
with specification of their boundaries, areas and forms of property;
Identification of boundary for rural communities, cities and rural settlements;
Soil survey of arable and pasture land with soil mapping and agrochemical research of soils,
identification of soils fertility necessary for determining rates of land tax and price of land;
32 Governmental Resolution as of June 29, 2012, # 463 33 Governmental Resolution as of February 6? 2015, # 40 34 Governmental Resolutions as of February 18 2015 # 72; that as of March 30, 2015 # 168 and as of March 24, 2016
#142. 35 Ibid 36 Governmental Resolution as of February 20, 2012 #140.
19
Monitoring of arable and pasture land for their timely control and reduction of negative factors
adversely affecting soil fertility and pasture condition;
Carrying out a salt survey, indicating contours at specific types of salinization and the preparation of
soil reclamation maps;
Development of normative (cadastral) price of land, which is the starting price for the sale of
agricultural land;
Laboratory analysis of soil (humus, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, texture, ph, CO2, water
extractor - for salinity, water absorption capacity and absorbed sodium in the alkalinity) and plants
(nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, protein, calcium, ash, starch, cellulose, fats, etc.) Samples;
Topographic survey of the area;
Development of digital maps using GIS technology;
Development of justifications for the transformation of agricultural land into other land category/
57. The State Registration Service of the Kyrgyz Republic (SRS) is responsible for registration of
population and civil status, movable and immovable property, and conducting the state land cadaster. The
SRS coordinates and controls the registration of land property rights in the vicinity of the project sites.
Within its mandate, it is responsible for 1) regulating of land relations (state registration deed, land cadaster);
and 2) topography survey and mapping of the state registration deed for land users.
58. State Agency on Local Self-Governance and Interethnic Relations (SALSGIR) is aimed to
establish conditions for sustainable development of the local self-governance system for economic growth,
welfare of population and strengthening of interethnic consent.37 Supporting local communes in strategic
planning SALSGIR also regulates sustainable development planning of the local communities.
59. The Province (Oblast) and District State Administrations, which represent the Government on the
corresponding governance level, are responsible for the territorial development planning and implementation
as well as implementation of the national sustainable development policies on the local level.
60. The Local Self Governance Bodies, i.e. municipal bodies of the settlements and rural districts at the
level of local communities are responsible for the elaboration and implementation of local communities’
development strategies including local environment issues. They are also responsible to develop and
maintain operational local social infrastructure and public security.
61. The Associations of Pasture and Water Users as the main users of ecosystem services regulate
access of local communities to natural resources and sustainable use of biodiversity and as such provide
inputs to the development of the landscape level management plans.
62. Two institutes of the National Science Academy of the Kyrgyz Republic - the Biology and Soils
Institute, and the Forest Research Institute - elaborate the scientific grounds for biodiversity and forest
monitoring, biodiversity and forest sustainable use and restoration norms and methodology, identification of
the areas under strong pressure, as well as new PA organization justification research.
63. National and international non-governmental organizations are operational in Kyrgyzstan in
line with their profiles and capacities. INGOs like Snow Leopard Trust, NABU, WWF, FFI and Panthera are
implementing snow leopard conservation activities in the northern, southern and central Tian Shan aimed at
habitat range monitoring, promoting anti-poaching and livelihoods for local communities. National NGOs
like the Kyrgyz Association of Forest and Land Users (KAFLU), CAMP Alatoo, and Rural Development
Foundation work to support Joint Forest Management, High Conservation Values promotion, sustainable
pasture management and use, as well as resilient rural development and livelihoods.
64. The Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association (KCBTA) is an institution uniting fast growing
sector of local tour service providers to communicate and to protect their rights in the government and on the
regional and local levels.
65. Additionally, the Union of the Hunters and Fishers representing the interests of hundreds of hunters
and fishers along the country, as well as hunting service providers is regularly involved by SAEPF in anti-
poaching campaigns, joint patrolling and awareness raising activities on the grounds.
66. Several banks and micro-credit companies are focused on providing credits to rural residents also
within the Governmental Program “Support to Agriculture – 4” crediting crop farming, husbandry and
agriculture products processing, thus, playing an important role for sustainable livelihoods and local
development of the local communities.
37 Regulation of SALSGIR approved by Governmental Resolution as of May 8, 2013 # 258
20
Legislative and Policy Context
67. Kyrgyzstan has got rather developed environmental legislation, which enable operations of the
biodiversity conservation as well as sustainable land and forest management. The key laws relevant to this
project are briefly summarized in Table 2 below. Additional details highlighting the specific relevance of the
legislation and the national program to this particular project are provided in Annex 5.
Table 2 Relevant Legislation of Kyrgyzstan
Law Date of Adoption Description
Land Code 02.06.1999 # 46 Makes provision the ownership, tenure, administration, sustainable
use and rehabilitation of land and the natural resources associated
with that land.
Forest Code 08.07.1999 # 66 Regulates the protection, rehabilitation and sustainable use of
forests, forest species and forest products.
Water code 12.01.2005 # 8 Provides the legal framework to support the development and use
of water, and the protection of the national water resources.
Law on Environmental
Protection
16.07.1999 # 53 Establishes basic principles of environmental protection and
ensures associated relevant legal powers.
Law on Wildlife (Fauna) 17.06.1999 # 59 Regulates protection and reproduction as well as rational use of
fauna as important asset of Kyrgyzstan, regulating and stabilizing
biosphere.
Law on the Protection
and Use of Flora
20.06.2001 # 53 Regulates relations on the domain of protection, and reproduction
of flora aimed at rational use of flora species.
Law on Rates of Pay-
ment for Flora and Fauna
Species Use
11.08.2008 # 200 Establishes legal basis for flora and fauna use defined in national
legislative documents.
Law on Special Protect-
ed Nature Areas
03.05.2011 # 18 Provides the legal basis for the planning and management of a
network of special protected nature areas (SPNAs).
Law on Biosphere Terri-
tories (BT)
09.07.1999 # 48 Defines the concept of Biosphere Territories as plots of terrestrial
of aquatic ecological systems or their combinations, which ensure
sustainable balance of biodiversity, economic development and
protection of correlated cultural values.
Law on Hunting 13.03.2014, # 41 Provides the legal basis for the regulation and control of hunting
activities and the protection of game species.
Law on Environmental
Expertise
16.06.1999 # 54 Provides legal basis for environmental assessment aimed to prevent
adverse impacts of projected economic activities.
Law on Agriculture De-
velopment
26.05.2009 #166 Identifies 18 main directions for state support from the national and
local budgets.
Law on Agricultural
Land Administration
11.01.2001 # 4 Regulates legal relations on agricultural lands administration to
assure effective and secure land use.
Law on Pastures 26.01.2009 # 30 Provides the legal framework for the conservation, sustainable use,
tenure rights and administration of pasturelands.
Law on Agriculture
Lands Soil Fertility Pro-
tection
10.08.2012 # 165 Establishes the basic legal and institutional framework for the
sustainable use of soils; soil conservation; the improvement of soil
fertility; and the prevention of soil degradation.
Law on Peasant Farms
(PF)
03.06.1999 # 47 Makes provision for the establishment individual or family peasant
farms.
Law on Local Self-
Governance
15.07.2011 # 101 Establishes principles for organization of local government on the
level of administrative and territorial units of Kyrgyzstan.
Law on Mountainous
Territories
01.11.2002 # 151 Sets the task to establish socio-economic and judicial basis for
sustainable development of mountainous territories of Kyrgyzstan,
conservation and rational use of natural resources, historical,
cultural and architecture heritage.
68. Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, as well as sustainable lend and forest management
policy objectives are set up in the main national development documents, including the following in Table4
below:
21
Table4. Relevant State Programs in Kyrgyzstan
State Program Implementation Period Description of environmental aspects
National Strategy for
Sustainable Development
(NSSD)
2013-2017 NSSD Chapter 5 is about Environment Protection for
Sustainable Development.
Program of Transition to
Sustainable Development
(PTSD)
2013-2017 PTSD Chapter 5 is devoted to Environmental Protection.
Priority 3 of PTSD – Strengthening of protected areas and
restoration of natural ecosystems in the context of climate
change – is to provide regular support for the existing
system of protected areas.
Priority Directions for
Biodiversity Conservation
2014-2024 Aimed at conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
for sustainable socio-economic development.
National Strategy and Action
Plan for the Conservation of
Snow Leopard
2013 – 2023 The main goal is to prevent the decline of the snow
leopard population in Kyrgyzstan.
National Forest Program 2005 - 2015 The purpose of the program is a gradual increase of forest
cover through reforestation and afforestation, as well as
creating sustainable forest management.
Priority Directions for Climate
Change Adaptation
2014-2017 Defines as goal support of specific activities aimed at
mitigation of climate change negative consequences.
Climate Change Adaptation
Program and Action Plan for
the Forest and Biodiversity
Sector
2015-2017 Elaborates nationally adopted Adaptation priorities for the
forest and biodiversity sector.
Priorities of the Kyrgyz
Republic on wetlands
conservation till 2023 and
Action plan on their
implementation for 2013-2017.
2013-2023 Refers to Ramsar Convention. Defines wetlands
conservation and waterfowl population increase as the
main goal.
Local Context
69. Additional details on the local context of the two main target districts are included in Annex 4.
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro are two of Jalal-Abad province’s eight districts, but encompass 37.4% of the area
of Jalal-Abad province. Figure 5 below shows Toktogul district (orange) and Toguz-Toro district (purple)
within Jalal-Abad Province. Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts cover a significant portion of the Western
Tian Shan in Jalal-Abad province, and are the two districts where Kyrgyzstan’s newest national parks have
been established: Alatai Natural Park (in Toktogul) and Kan-Achuu Natural Park (in Toguz-Toro). The plans
for establishment of these two national parks has in part catalyzed the development of the current project, as
they represent coverage of critical biodiversity areas in Kyrgyzstan, including significant landscapes of key
snow leopard habitat in the Western Tian Shan.
22
Figure 5 Map of Jalal-Abad Province
70. The local commitment to the establishment of the new PAs is quite impressive, since it draws from
the grass roots level of Cholpon-Ata local community (in Toktogul) and Kok-Irim local community (in
Toguz-Toro), which allocated about 48,000 ha of their pasturelands for the establishment of the new PAs in
the region. According to the national legal provisions on compensation of agriculture lands withdrawal, the
communities could apply for compensation of more than $200 million USD; however, both self-governments
consider it to be their local contribution to national PA system expansion in the Western Tian Shan, further
supported by the GEF.
71. Toktogul District has an area of 821,937 ha, including 414,212 ha of pasturelands. The area of
arable lands is 16,990 ha including 8,202 ha of irrigated land and 8,788 ha of rain-fed land. There is one city,
Toktogul, and 10 rural districts with 44 villages in the district. The total population of the district in 2014
was 96,215 people, including 49.8% of women, 44% of children and 47% of working age people. The
poverty level is estimated as 55.7% of poor population. In 2014, there were 4,532 poor families, who
received social aid. The official unemployment rate was 2.7%, 424 persons being registered as unemployed.
Agriculture is the main economic activity.
72. According to the special Law “On compensation of loss from hydropower plant construction to
Toktogul District, Jazy-Kechuu village and Karakul city of Jalal-Abad Province” about 43 million soms are
transferred annually to the Special Fund of Toktogul District by the Joint Stock Company “National Electric
Stations”, The fund is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and Melioration to
finance different irrigation and melioration systems reconstruction and well as for social infrastructure
development.
73. Forest cover of the district is quite mosaic, unevenly distributed as per landscapes and mainly located
along inaccessible mountainous ridges. The forest cover of the district is 114,371 ha or 14.4% of whole
territory. Only 35% of forests are managed by the Toktogul leskhoz; the other part is under management of
District authority (6%) and the rest is located on the so called other lands, including local communes (59%).
The Toktogul State Forest Management Unit (leskhoz) was founded in 1947, and manages a territory of
104,860 ha, which is distributed on six forest ranges, with forest-covered area of 30,612.8 ha. The total wood
stock of the leskhoz forests was estimated as 1,323,062.7 m³ of wood, and the average stock per hectare was
43.2 m³. Additionally, the leskhoz manages about 21 ha of hayfields and 39,365.3 ha of pasturelands.
Practically all of these lands are leased to local resource users.
74. Among the main forest species, the following are described as in Toktogul Forest Management Plan:
Spruce (Picea tianschanica rupr.); Semenov fir (Abies semenovii fedtsch.); Zarafshan Juniper (Juniperus
serafvschanica), Juniper hemispherical (Juniperus semiglobosa), Turkestan Juniper (Juniperus
turkestanica); Walnut (Juglans regia); Pistachio (Pistacia spec.); three species of apple: Malus kirgisorum;
Malus. sieversii; and Malus niedzwetckiana; three maple trees: Acer turkestanicum, Acer regelii and Acer
semenovi; Ash tree (Fraxinus sogdiana); Birch (Betula turkestanica); Willow (Saliх sp.); White Poplar
(Populus alba); Honeysuckle (Lonicera L.); Rosehip cinnamon (R. cinnamomea L.); Spirea (Spiraea L.);
Cherry shrub (C. fruticosa (Pall.) G.Woron).
23
75. As far as forest ecosystems degradation rate is concerned, the sanitary conditions the forest of the
leskhoz are described as: healthy on the area of 4,980.4 ha; average – 21,138.6 ha; and bad – 4,493.8 ha. As
per Forest Code (Article 29 and 30) protection category, there are two types of forest in Toktogul leskhoz: 1)
protective forests on the area of 89,858 ha or 87% of the leskhoz area and 2) forests of PA covering 14,901
ha or 14.3% of the leskhoz. PA forests mainly consist of the fir stands of Uzun-Akmat Forest Sanctuary
comprising 5,040 ha of the Uzun-Akmat forest range, 6,667 ha of Alatai forest range and 3,194 ha of Usta-
Sa forest range.
76. Formally, two protected areas already existed in Toktogul District prior to establishment of Alatai
Natural Park. They are Chichkan Zoological Sanctuary (65,551 ha), and Uzun-Ahmat Forest Sanctuary
(14,771 ha). Both exist on the lands of Toktogul leskhoz. The newly established Alatai State Nature Park has
included the lands of Uzun-Akmat Sanctuary.
77. Chichkan Zoological (game) Sanctuary, established in 1975,38 is located in Chychkan river basin, to
ensure conservation and sustainable use of the fauna and riparian forests species: willow, juniper, wild rose,
hawthorn, ephedra, sea buckthorn, raspberries, black currants and others. These form the habitat of the
diverse fauna species: wolf, white-clawed bear, roe deer, ibex, rabbit, squirrel, snow cock, pheasant,
partridge and others. In the upper mountain ridges area snow leopard was also observed.
78. Uzun-Akmat Forest Sanctuary, also established in 1975 by the same document, has the objective to
ensure conservation of natural Semenov fir stands. Beside the fir some other tree and shrub species occur
there: birch, spruce, poplar, juniper tree, elm, apple, apricot, sea buckthorn, pistachio, barberry, wild rose,
raspberry, black currant, juniper shrub. Typical representatives of fauna there are snow leopard, ibex, bear,
deer, lynx, badger, porcupine, fox, hare, wild boar and others.
79. Toguz-Toro District was established in 1935. It is located in Jalal-Abad Province in the south-
western part of the country, its area is 396,238 ha, with an average altitude of about 2,000 m. The area is
bordering in the north with Jumgal district, in the east to Aktalaa district of Naryn Province, in the south –
with Suzak district of Jalal-Abad Province and Uzgen district of Osh Province and in the west with Bazar-
Korgon and Toktogul districts of Jalal-Abad Province. The relief of the Toguz-Toro District is intermountain
valleys, low-mountains, middle and high types of terrain. The valley has an overall bias in the north- west
and looks like a huge bowl whose walls are surrounding mountain ridges. Most valleys are quite narrow and
deep with slopes of 70-120°. Erosion has played a major role in the modeling of the current relief. As a
result, the terrain is highly intersected not only with the river valleys, but also with numerous gorges, dry
hollows and small ravines. Steep slopes characterize the upstream areas of most river valleys and steep,
rugged, rising steeply hollows filled with large boulders and rocks. In the intermountain basin at the altitudes
of 1300 - 1500 m light brown soils are prevalent. Large areas area occupied by chestnut soils, above which
there are mountain black soils. In general, the soil cover of the area is characterized by good water regime,
high humus content and nutrients.
80. The district is divided into five administrative-territorial units (rural districts): Atay, Kargalyk, Kara-
Suu, Kok-Irim, and Toguz-Toro. There are 14 settlements in total. Only three settlements have clean
drinking water supply systems. The village of Kazarman is the administrative center of the district. The
population of the district is 22,389 people, including 10,990 women (49%) and 11,889 men (51%). There are
918 poor families who received social aid. The official unemployment rate was 2%, 211 persons being
registered as unemployed. Agriculture is the principle sector of the Toguz-Toro district economy. The total
area of the district agriculture land is 263,712 ha, including 11,257 ha of arable lands (2,685 ha irrigated and
8,572 rain-fed), 1,835 ha of hayfields and 249,219 ha of pastures. The main crop species is wheat and barley,
potatoes and vegetables are also among cultivated agri-species. The district industrial output in 2015 was
mainly from the gold mining enterprise located in the district, which generated 643,494,500 soms.
81. The forest cover of the district is of island character. Forest stands are unevenly distributed as per
landscapes and mainly located along mountainous rivers and on the slopes of the mountain ridges. The forest
cover of the district is 46,533 ha or 11.7% of whole territory. Only 18 % of forest cover is managed by the
leskhoz, and nearly 7% by the Saimaluu-Tash State Natural Park. The rest 75% of forest cover is located on
the lands of land reserve and so called other lands. The Toguz-Toro State Forest Management Unit (leskhoz)
was founded in 1997, and is spread across two administrative districts: Toguz-Toro of Jalal-Abad Province
and Aktala district of Naryn Province. It manages territory of 57,964.0 ha, including 57,356.0 ha of forest
lands in Toguz-Toro Districts and 608 ha of forest lands in Aktala District. The leskhoz forests have wood
stocks of about 263,000 m³. The office of the leskhoz is located in Kazarman, which is 150 km from the
38 Resolution of the Minister Council of the KSSR as of November 6, 1975 # 567.
24
provincial center of Jajal-Abad. The territory of the leskhoz is administratively divided into three forest
ranges: Beshkol (18,037.1 ha), Kok-Irim (18,103 ha) and Makmal (21,824.6 ha).
82. Beside forests, the leskhoz has 61 ha of non-irrigated arable land, 147.9 ha of hayfields and
21,2194.5 ha of pastures. The soil protection role of the forests is mainly in the prevention of erosion, which
is high in intensive cattle grazing on some pasture management areas (mainly in Kok-Irim Forest Range).
Due to the critical ecosystem services provided, all forests of Toguz-Toro leskhoz are assigned to the
protective category. Tree species include, spruce (Picea tianschanica), juniper (Juniperus semiglobosa,
turkestanica), poplar (Populus alba), birch (Betula turkestanica) and other tree and shrub species.
83. In 2001, in Toguz-Toro District, the State Nature Park “Saimaluu-Tash” was established along the
upper stream of the Kok-Art River, with the area of about 32,000 ha. Its conservation objective is aimed to
protect unique natural complexes of the Kok-Art tracts and numerous petroglyphs of high cultural and
historic value. It contains one of the biggest collections of rock pictures not only in Kyrgyzstan and Central
Asia but also in the whole world. About 10,000 stones with pictures have been identified, the earliest dating
back to the third to early second millennia BC, that is to the Eneolithic and Bronze Ages. In 2001,
Kyrgyzstan applied to UNESCO for nomination of Saimaluu-Tash Petroglyphs to World Heritage List,
which is included in UNESCO’s list of candidate sites. The park has three zones of specific conservation
regimes: protected area of 9,221.8 ha; recreation zone of 4,540.9 ha; and reproduction zone of 18,244.5 ha.
In 2015, as per governmental road infrastructure expansion project on the second alternative highway
“North-South”, about 80 ha was withdrawn from Saimaluu-Tash SNP for the road construction.
Threats, Root Causes, and Impacts
84. There are a variety of threats to the globally significant biodiversity of the Western Tian Shan,
including threats that affect key ecosystem indicator species such as snow leopard. The most critical threats
that will be addressed by the project are summarized below, while additional threats to biodiversity, forests,
and sustainable land management are further described in Annex 6.
85. Pasture Degradation from Poor Grazing Management: The grassland pastures of Western Tian Shan
are subject to intensive agro-pastoral land use, with limited effective control and management currently in
place. The main cause of degradation of grassland mountain ecosystems is overgrazing. However, new field
studies assessing the causes, effects, characteristics, and implications of grazing and pasture degradation in
Central Asian mountains question the previous assumptions of simple causal relationships between
overgrazing and land degradation. Carrying capacity in grassland ecosystems varies over time depending on
the natural conditions of the pasture, which are in-turn linked to fluctuating annual factors such as rainfall
and drought. Therefore static livestock management, and unregulated and increasing livestock populations
results in overgrazing (or, less frequently, undergrazing) and degradation of sensitive pasture ecosystems.
86. Overgrazing and degraded alpine pastures leads to reduced populations of wild ungulates (e.g. argali
and ibex) and small mammals (e.g. hares, ground squirrels, and marmots) that are key prey species of snow
leopard and birds of prey, leading to population declines. The health of the grassland and pasture ecosystems
is critical for snow leopard and its prey, as well as for soil and vegetation qualities. Due to overgrazing for
extended periods, the grasslands of the Western Tian Shan are susceptible to inadequate natural regeneration,
and encroachment or invasion by plant species not suitable for livestock or wild ungulates. In overgrazed
pastures where undesirable plant species (used to assess degradation) have permeated to 20% of grass stands,
pastures can require a rest of three to four years.
87. Overgrazing is leading to further degradation of the land as a result of intensified pressure on
pastures from the decline in the practice of moving livestock between summer and winter pastures, and
increased livestock density. As of 2012, it was estimated that 49% of pastures in Kyrgyzstan were degraded
(see Table 3 below).
Table 3 Pasture Degradation Rates39
Pasture type Pasture area
(thousand ha) % of Total Degraded area in ha Degraded areas in %
Summer 3,951 43 1,432 36
Spring-autumn 2,756 30 1,378 50
Winter 2,440 27 1,718 70
Total 9,147 100 4,528 49
39 Pasture Department Annual Report for 2012.
25
88. Despite their low productivity, the extensive lowland winter pasturelands are increasingly being used
for sheep and cattle grazing. Pasturelands are usually on sloping terrain, and degradation can be seen in terms
of reduction of vegetative cover, displacement of grasses by weeds, soil erosion, landslides and mudflows,
and more catastrophic water runoff, leading to flooding. About half of the grazing areas are classified as
degraded, both in terms of vegetation and soil condition. The combined impact generates erosion, depleted
soil carbon stocks, and disturbance to biodiversity, ultimately leading to competition for resources between
communities and wildlife.
89. While overgrazing is the primary threat faced by pasture ecosystems in the Western Tian Shan, in
some cases the most remote alpine summer pastures are actually undergrazed. Undergrazing can result in a
lower than optimum production of forage biomass, or even the loss of pastures altogether as woody
vegetation overgrows unused pastures. For example, in Kyrgyzstan many pastures have been overgrown with
the hard and thorny caragana (Caragana sp.), and other bushes and grasses (e.g. wormwood (Artemisia sp.),
desert candle (Eremurus sp.), giant fennel (Ferula sp.)) that are not suitable for livestock. In areas overgrown
by caragana bushes, only about 35% of the area is useful for livestock grazing. In the nearby Suusamyr
valley, it was assessed that between 1990-2005 the area of caragana bushes (which grow mainly in lowlands,
along rivers and creeks) increased by 38% (5,000 ha). Studies have indicated that, under certain conditions,
appropriate livestock grazing is necessary to optimize forage production (similar to conditions in Europe,
where a decline of traditional shepherding has led to a loss of mountain grasslands). Optimizing grazing
levels for natural forage productivity can also therefore benefit wild ungulates. Maintaining optimum
ecosystem productivity requires careful attention to avoid over or undergrazing.
90. Under Soviet management, from the 1950’s the number of cattle increased to 10-12 million head in
Kyrgyzstan, and traditional grazing practices were broken. Degradation of pastures in Kyrgyzstan began in at
least the 1980s. From 1960 to 1990, the average productivity of the summer pastures declined from 640
kg/ha to 410 kg/ha (36%) and the spring and autumn average pasture yield went from 470 kg/ha to 270 kg/ha
(43%). The productivity of winter (lowland) pastures declined even more dramatically or from an average of
300 kg/ha to less than 100 kg/ha (67%). In total approximately 50,000 km2 have been affected by
encroachment of woody and unpalatable species, making over 5,400 km2 of pasturelands useless for grazing.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, land use in the Kyrgyz Republic remained uncontrolled
until 2009, as the previously existing Soviet natural resource management practices collapsed. During this
period herders had a tendency to overuse those pastures closest to villages and settlements – the exact
example of the well-known “tragedy of the commons”. After a sharp decline in the number of livestock in
the early 1990s, the numbers of livestock in Kyrgyzstan began to grow again. During the 14 years from 1997
– 2011 the number of livestock units40 (LU) rose from 9.5 million LU to 13.8 million LU, an increase of
45.3%. From 2012-2015 livestock numbers increased a further 8.9% (see Table 5. below).
Table 5. Livestock in Thousand Heads41
2012 2013 2014 2015
% increase
from 2012
Livestock Units 1,338.6 1,367.5 1,404.2 1,458.4 108.9
Including
Cows 684.2 699.3 718.5 744.3 108.8
Pigs 59.2 55.4 51.8 50.8 85.8
Sheep and Goats 5,288.1 5,423.9 5,641.2 5,829.0 110.2
Horses 389.0 398.8 407.4 433.0 111.3
Poultry 4,815.3 5,076.6 5,385.7 5,420.0 112.6
91. Current livestock numbers exceed the estimated land carrying capacity by 1.5-2 times. According to
the Kyrgyz State Project Institute of Land Management, 29% of all pastures show signs of or are severely
degraded and 25% of all pastures are deteriorating.42 It is estimated that over 60% of pastures are eroded in
some areas of the Western Tian Shan, and the quality of pastures has declined by four times compared to the
1980s levels. In some areas stocking levels exceed grazing standards by 3-8 times in the summer pastures
40 A standard livestock unit (LU) is not used in the Kyrgyz Republic. As per Kyrgyzgiprozem, conventional sheep
heads are used, recalculating the cattle as one cow is equal to four sheep and one horse to five sheep. 41 http://www.stat.kg. 42 Isakov Azamat, Dr. Johann Thorsson. Assessment of the land condition in the Kyrgyz Republic with respect to
grazing and a possible development of a quoting system on the local governmental level.- B.: V.R.S. Company Ltd,
2015 - 48 p.
26
and by 13 times on winter pastures. Currently the average productivity of winter pastures is 40% below
normal, and has decreased 10-20% for the middle pastures. In the four targeted communities targeted by the
project land degradation ranges between an estimated 25% degraded land to more than 50% degraded land.
The average productivity of non-degraded pastureland is 0.57 t/ha of biomass, and the average productivity
of degraded pasturelands is 0.13 t/ha of biomass.
92. Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Overgrazing and degradation of pastures due to growth in the number of
livestock also leads to growth in conflicts between humans and wildlife. Overgrazing reduces suitable habitat
areas for wild ungulates, thus potentially bringing them into increased contact with humans. The location of
herders’ camps close to the high altitude pastures and their frequent poaching of wildlife significantly
influences the behavior of animals, with consequences on habitat use and availability for wild ungulates. The
avoidance and reduction of available habitat and time to graze in pastures affects the survival and
reproduction of individual animals and the size and trends in population. Herding dogs are another factor that
directly causes the mortality of wild animals and causes reduction of available habitats. In many cases
herding dogs are not properly fed, and are left to hunt small animals, such as marmots, small carnivores and
ungulates. The co-existence of wild game and domestic livestock has conflict potential that needs to be
addressed in advance, and addressed in a timely manner. Ibex and Tian Shan or Marco Polo argali are
unlikely to present any noticeable problem for the use of pastures, hayfields, and crops in Kyrgyzstan due to
their habitat requirements that largely exclude interference in more intensively used agricultural areas. Roe
deer and maral have a high potential of using, and thus damaging, hayfields and crops like alfalfa, but can
also damage trees, e.g. in fruit plantations. Wild boar can cause damage in grain, vegetable and potato fields.
There are a few cases where bears destroyed the bee keeping facilities. Predators, in particular wolf, cause
serious conflict with livestock breeders. Most livestock losses can be attributed to free ranging of livestock in
the mountains, poor herding practices and insufficiently enforced corrals. The lack of trained herd protection
and herding dogs is a part of this problem. Contrary to the perception of many livestock breeders,
government officials, and even scientists in Kyrgyzstan, the killing of wolves does not reduce livestock
losses in a significant scale, and as research has shown can even increase livestock depredation. Fortunately,
currently the cases of the snow leopard predation of livestock are very rare, there are no registered cases in
the Western Tian Shan last decade.
93. Overgrazing in Forests: The problems of overgrazing highlighted above in relation to grassland
ecosystems also affect vulnerable forest ecosystems, some of which are also used as “forest pastures” where
domestic livestock are grazed. Forestry enterprise pastures cover 1.1 million hectares in Kyrgyzstan. These
pastures are some of the country’s most environmentally vulnerable pastures, as they are often located
closest to forests and protected areas. One-third of “forest lands” are actually are sub-alpine and alpine
meadows and steppe grasslands. Since these pastures are within the specifically managed forest areas, they
are usually in better condition than municipal pastures. In addition, these pastures are often located at the
average altitude between winter and summer pastures. With the limited commercial forestry in Kyrgyzstan,
leasing fees from forest pastures can make up the largest source of a forest enterprise’s income.43 Forest
enterprise pastures are also leased for hay making for winter fodder. Unregulated livestock grazing presents a
pressure on high conservation value juniper and fir forests, which are key components in the ecosystem
mosaic comprising the globally significant biodiversity of the Western Tian Shan. Such forest stands are also
important elements of habitat corridors for wild ungulates, and for snow leopard dispersal between alpine
grasslands as a single snow leopard’s home range is typically large enough to encompass several mountain
ridges and the valleys in between.
94. Unsustainable Use of Forests: Dependence on imported timber is high in Kyrgyzstan, since
commercial forestry is prohibited, and relatively low volumes of wood (approximately 25,000 cubic meters
annually) are drawn from maintenance/sanitary cutting. During the Soviet period, Kyrgyzstan imported
400,000-500,000 cubic meters of industrial roundwood and 2 million cubic meters of fuelwood annually,
which is estimated as the minimal annual demand for timber and fuelwood for the country. Currently only
67,500 cubic meters of timber is imported, and an estimated 40-50,000 cubic meters is cut illegally, equating
to only 20-25% of the estimated minimum annual demand. Consequently, the price of timber in local
markets of US $160-250/m3 is beyond the means of most rural households, indicating that illegal pressure on
forests for fuelwood and local construction is high.44 Although forests cover only 5.6% of the country, almost
20% of the Kyrgyz population lives in or near forests, and more than one third of houses in Kyrgyzstan rely
43 World Bank, 2015. “Kyrgyz Republic: Communities Forests and Pastures,” Report No: ACS13613, April 30, 2015. 44 Ibid.
27
only on coal and fuelwood for heating and cooking.45 Recent economic shifts have lead to rising costs of
electricity and gas, leading many public institutions, such as schools and hospitals, to switch to charcoal and
wood-based heating systems.
95. Inadequate forest management facilitates multiple threats. Harvesting of over-mature trees, which is
legally permitted in unprotected areas, removes ecologically important trees, destroys surrounding vegetation
as a result of extensive construction of drive-up roads, reduces biological diversity impairs its resilience to
anthropogenic and natural stress. The rate of natural regeneration and reforestation is unable to keep pace
with the rate of forest degradation. The area of wild fruit forests such as those of IUCN Red List critically
endangered Knorring’s Hawthorn (Crataegus knorringiana), the vulnerable wild Siever’s apple (Malus
sieversii) and endangered Niedzwiedzky apple (Malus niedzwetskyana) is shrinking.
96. The unique wild nut-fruit forest currently covering 630,900 ha in Jalal-Abad province and other parts
of southwestern Kyrgyzstan shrinks by 3% annually as a result of unsustainable logging. In addition, these
forests suffer from uncontrolled harvesting of NTFPs and wood for fuel and local construction. An indication
of the NTFPs collected from Kyrgyzstan forests is highlighted in Table 4 below.
Table 4 Kyrgyzstan Timber and Non-timber Forest Product Ecosystem Services
Physical unit, Provisioning services 2008 2010 2012 2014
Timber 4.3 4.1 5.6 7.7
Firewood, thousand m3 12.6 12.7 14.7
Grazing, thousand ha 94.9 96.0 103.7 103.7
Grazing (actual), thousand ha 759.5 768.4 829.9 829.9
Non-timber forest products
Forage collection
Nuts, tons 950.2 1329 835.4 2856.5
Walnuts 924 1320 825 2805
Almonds 7 4.2 5.6 3.5
Pistachio 19.2 4.8 4.8 48
Honey 35 35 35 39.5
Apples 1615.4 1307.7 1615.4 1538.5
Herbs etc. n/a n/a n/a n/a
Other forest products (mushrooms) 300 300 300 300
97. In spite of the adopted Law on valuable species felling, few cases of illegal logging are officially
reported from time to time presenting quite positive figures (see Table 5 below).
Table 5 Illegal Logging in Jalal-Abad Province46
Years Type of forest Total volume of logging, m3
2008 Deciduous and coniferous 156.55
2009 Deciduous and coniferous 76.16
2010 Deciduous and coniferous 64.27
2011 Deciduous and coniferous 82.88
2012 Deciduous and coniferous 76.50
2013 Deciduous and coniferous 112.70
2014 Deciduous and coniferous 24.70
2015 Deciduous and coniferous 35.10
2008-2015 Total 628.86
98. Legal and Illegal Hunting of Ungulates: In the Western Tian Shan, trophy hunting by internationals
is not currently a significant source of pressure (though it may represent one opportunity for future
biodiversity conservation efforts). Currently in Kyrgyzstan international trophy hunting is mainly
concentrated in the Central Tian Shan (in the east and southeast of the country), along the border with China.
99. In the Western Tian Shan the primary source of hunting pressure is from legal and illegal hunting of
ungulates by local Kyrgyz populations. According to the Department of the Rational Use of Natural
Resources (the department that regulates hunting), approximately 75% of Kyrgyz territory is open to hunting
– essentially all national territory other than population settlements; in general, land is not leased for hunting.
Hunting by Kyrgyz nationals is mainly considered sport hunting (rather than subsistence), with hunters
45.Environment of the Kyrgyz Republic National Statistics Committee, 2013.
46 Department of Forest Planning and Inventory, 2015.
28
participating (during the regulated hunting seasons) for enjoyment, or to obtain game meat as a delicacy. The
local sport-hunting sector is regulated in Kyrgyzstan by the Department of the Rational Use of Natural
Resources, which monitors game species’ populations, enforces hunting regulations, and determines targets
for the number of individuals to be harvested.
100. Management of hunting species, particularly alpine ungulate species, is not necessarily managed in a
holistic manner considering broad ecosystem requirements. For example, the population of ibex in a certain
region may be able to sustain a certain level of hunting pressure, but it is unknown what level of hunting
pressure is appropriate to allow ibex to play their necessary ecological role as a prey species for snow
leopard, or for other ecosystem functions, such as grazing of alpine meadows.
101. In addition, the enforcement capacity of the Department of Rational use of Natural Resources is
limited, with four hunting enforcement officers for all of Toktogul district, and only two hunting
enforcement officers for Toguz-Toro district – equating to one enforcement officer per almost 200,000 ha.
Therefore illegal hunting (mainly of ungulates, e.g. ibex) remains a significant issue. There were 706 cases
of poaching documented in Kyrgyzstan in 2015 (a 34% increase from 2014), and the number of unreported
cases is certainly much higher. In one high profile case in July 2015, seven poachers were arrested in
Toktogul district with illegal rifles, near to the area of the Kan-Achuu National Park, with evidence of two
ibex killed; one of the poachers had ties to a local government official.47 The number of reported cases of
poaching of snow leopard is not high in Kyrgyzstan, but is still an issue of concern. There was one identified
incidence in January 2016. In 2015 one snow leopard skin was confiscated in Bishkek (from Talas region)
and one snow leopard skin was confiscated in 2016 in Issyk-kul region.
102. It is likely that illegal hunting of game animals may increase in the future as well, as hunting
regulations introduced in 2015 increased prices for hunting licenses; for example, the price that Kyrgyz
citizens must pay to hunt an ibex increased from 600 soms to 10,000 soms. Also, there is currently a national
debate about the issue of whether species listed in the Kyrgyz Red List, such as Marco Polo sheep and other
Argali sub-species should be available for hunting (which also affects the international trophy hunting
sector).
Long-Term Solution and Barriers to Achieving the Solution
103. The long-term solution for biodiversity conservation and sustainable land and forest in the Western
Tian Shan entails a comprehensive integrated landscape management approach, with protected areas as
anchors of conservation within a productive semi-forested pastoral alpine landscape. This approach is
particularly critical to ensure the conservation of wide-ranging apex predator mammals, such as snow
leopards. Current research in ecology has demonstrated that functioning ecosystems are typically defined at
the “landscape” scale rather at the scale of an individual protected area, with snow leopards and many other
species using seasonal territories much larger than the average protected areas. Such a large-scale integrated
landscape management approach must clearly take into account the livelihood needs of local populations,
while applying international good practices in land-use planning and natural resource management.
Implementing such an approach requires secure and effectively managed core areas (e.g. protected areas and
other key biodiversity areas), implementation of sustainable forest and land management in the wider
landscape, and well-developed planning and land-use management approaches to manage key corridors and
the interfaces (i.e. buffer zones) between key biodiversity areas and productive landscapes. In addition, the
conservation of rare and data-deficient species such as the snow leopard requires the use of cutting-edge
international best practices. Thus, key alpine landscapes in the Western Tian Shan must be brought under
effective management with well-managed core conservation areas surrounded by buffer zones and connected
by ecological corridors where land use is regulated in ways that balance conservation and socio-economic
needs. The solution necessitates three key elements: a). Effective management of existing PAs and other key
biodiversity areas (e.g. HCVFs); b.) a high degree of integration of these protected areas with buffer zones,
wildlife corridors and other areas of the broader landscape; and c.) Adoption of international good practices
for conservation of key components of biodiversity, such as the snow leopard.
104. While this project is not focused solely on snow leopard conservation, the snow leopard serves as a
conceptual symbol for the overall objective of biodiversity conservation; as a wide-ranging apex predator,
snow leopards are an important indicator species, since they require large-scale high quality ecosystems with
good connectivity between prime habitat patches. In addition, since their pelts are a desirable commodity,
effective snow leopard conservation also requires effective protected area and natural resource management
– with well-enforced laws and regulations – a standard that also has significant benefits for biodiversity
47 See http://www.turmush.kg/ru/news:144491.
29
conservation as a whole. The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) – a
collaborative program between the governments of 12 snow leopard range countries and other partner
organizations – provides the overarching implementation framework for improving the conservation status of
snow leopards, wild prey, and their ecosystems across the entire snow leopard range. The long-term solution
sought by the GSLEP (and the individual participating countries) is characterized by inter alia: (i) the
maintenance or increase in snow leopard numbers to form viable populations; (ii) the maintenance or
increase of prey numbers to support viable snow leopard populations; (iii) a reduction in the predation and
mortality of livestock, and decreased killing of snow leopard and prey; (iv) the maintenance or restoration of
habitat quality and connectivity to ensure the gene flow between snow leopard and prey populations; (v) a
reduction in the rate of degradation of snow leopard and prey landscapes; (vi) reduced poaching and
smuggling of snow leopard and prey, and their products; (vii) baselines that are established to track progress
and effectiveness of conservation programs, enable adaptive management and enable identification of
priority areas for protection; (viii) an enabling policy environment, and capacitated institutions, to deter
wildlife crime and enact incentives for local communities to protect and conserve; (ix) a general public,
resource users and decision-makers who are informed and educated about snow leopard ecosystems and the
values associated with them; and (x) an increased capacity for better trans-boundary coordination between
national and local institutions across the snow leopard and prey range. Although the National Strategy and
Action Plan for Snow Leopard Conservation (NSSLC) is in place and identifies a suite of national and local
actions that would be required to effectively conserve snow leopard, wild prey and their ecosystems in
Kyrgyzstan, there are also significant barriers to the country’s ability to contribute to achieving the long-term
solution described above.
105. The key barriers to the long-term solution for biodiversity conservation (including snow leopard
conservation) and sustainable land and forest management in the Western Tian Shan are described below.
106. Barrier 1: Weak management of Key Biodiversity Areas: As of early 2016, the system of SPNAs
consists of 89 PAs covering 7.6% of the country.48 This includes three categories of PAs (strict reserves,
national parks and sanctuaries), all of which are under the direct or indirect responsibility of the State
Agency for Environment Protection and Forestry. Of these three categories, the most important for nature
conservation are the first two, which have administrative offices within or near the PAs, as well as rangers
(‘inspectors’) patrolling within the PAs. The system does not provide adequate coverage for the spatial range
of threatened species, most notably the snow leopard and prey. In Central Tian Shan the Government is
currently supported with a $1 million USD UNDP-GEF project that is aiming to increase protection of the
biodiversity in that part of the Tian Shan. In Western Tian Shan, the Kyrgyz Government established 10
protected areas. However, the coverage of the snow leopard range in Western Tian Shan remains less than
50%. The protected area system suffers from underfunding, and suboptimal management. Most PAs have no
legally backed buffer zones and no corridors that are needed for effective conservation of such species as
snow leopard.
107. During the preparation phase of this project the government has succeeded in establishing two new
national parks in the Western Tian Shan to support increased coverage for conservation of key species. These
two PAs are Alatai National Park (56,826 ha in Toktogul District) and Kan-Achuu National Park (30,497 ha
in Toguz-Toro District). Although they have been recently formally gazetted and approved, there is virtually
no existing management of these PAs: the baseline analysis conducted for this project indicated METT
scores of just 17 - 18 (14 - 15%) for both PAs. Significant investment and capacity development is required
to turn these “newborn” national parks into effective mechanisms for biodiversity conservation. Management
effectiveness of other previously existing PAs in the Western Tian Shan is also relatively weak. Although the
region’s PAs have benefits from some donor investment in the past, key PAs are still not fully secured or
effectively managed. The baseline analysis of the other four previously established PAs that will be
supported by this project produced an average METT score of 43 (37.7%) for these PAs. This is in fact
symbolic of the overall state of protected area management in Kyrgyzstan broadly speaking, considering that
the country is still in the process of building good institutional capacity for nature conservation and natural
resource management; however, the METT has not yet been instituted at the national level, so a full
comparison of the situation of the PAs in Western Tian Shan relative to the national level is not possible.
108. Although PAs are core-tenants of biodiversity conservation, they are not the only key biodiversity
areas in the landscape. HCVFs are also critically important anchors in the landscape, particularly in
Kyrgyzstan, which has less than 6% of its national territory covered by forests. The formal HCVF concept
has actually not yet been introduced in Kyrgyzstan and integrated in forest management regulations and
48 State Agency on Environment Protection and Forestry
30
guidelines. Certain elements of Kyrgyzstan’s forest management regime can be considered as relevant to the
implementation of HCVF conservation and management, such as the current ban on the cutting of
economically productive nut and fruit species, although this is poorly enforced. However, on the whole there
is a lack of individual, institutional and systemic capacity to protect and conserve HCVFs as key biodiversity
areas. In the Western Tian Shan less than 20% of the endemic Shrenk’s spruce forest is currently protected
and much less of wild fruit and nut forest. The protection of high conservation value forests (such as wild
apple trees) suffers from lack of local capacity, no enforcement, and constant abuse of these forests by local
communities (uncontrolled logging, grazing).
109. Barrier 2: Unsustainable management of land and forest in wider landscape: Current forest and
land-use plans do not take into account the ecological requirements of wildlife, including rare and threatened
species such as snow leopard. Corridors providing for wildlife passage to key habitats outside the protected
area are not identified or designated, and there is no legal mechanism for identifying or managing such
corridors. Juniper and other forest types in many of these areas have degraded beyond natural regeneration
rates, and buffer zones are not effectively managed to restrict biodiversity-incompatible uses. The status of
locally migrating mammals depends on a landscape-level approach to conservation, combining strict
conservation in the breeding / nesting areas with sustainable use in the wildlife passage / forage areas. The
snow leopard requires a large home range as it moves widely with the changing seasons, movements of prey
species such as argali and ibex, and during the mating season. In a highly fragmented landscape such as
current Western Tian Shan, conservation of snow leopard and associated threatened migrating ungulates will
be ineffective, both from PA cost-effectiveness perspective, as well as from the perspective of ungulate
population sustainability.
110. Many small scattered Juniper and wild fruit and nut forest patches of up to 200 ha each continue to
be used with no control over livestock entry, sanitary felling, wood fuel collection and harvest of over-
mature trees. Most of the wild apple forests have not been classified as protected forest, and their national
area of over 16,000 ha is shrinking every year. Forestry methods applied here are the same forestry
management techniques applicable to any economic forest in the country, which does not take into account
their high ecological value. Land and natural resource use in such small forest parcels located in the buffer
areas need to be restricted and degraded pastures and forests rehabilitated. In the state forest lands estate, not
all territory is covered by forest, and pasture areas within the forest estate are leased to local communities for
grazing livestock, but this is done without any assessment of carrying capacity, or sustainable management
approaches that would allow degraded forest areas to naturally regenerate. Practically speaking, the district-
level forest management enterprises (“leskhozes”) employ foresters, who have little interest or capacity to
ensure sustainable land management of pastures within their territories. In addition, although there is no
commercial harvest of timber in the Western Tian Shan, because forest resources are so limited there is high
illegal logging pressure, and the forest management enterprises have insufficient enforcement capacity to
deter illegal activities. Finally, existing forest management plans developed and implemented by the
leskhozes do not adequately incorporate international good practices for sustainable forest management,
including sustainable management of NTFPs.
111. There is also low existing capacity for sustainable land management in non-forest areas of the wider
landscape, which are mainly pasture areas. Pasturelands outside of the State Forest Fund lands are managed
by local Pasture Users Associations (PUAs), designated for each local governance unit under the 2009 Law
on Pastures. The law authorizes PUAs to develop pasture management and grazing plans, aimed at
sustainable use, conservation and improvement of pastoral resources use. Pasture use tickets are issued by
the PUA executive body Pasture Management Committees (PMCs), with all revenues to be used for
sustainable management of pastures. Although PUAs are tasked with sustainable management of pastures,
practically speaking they have little capacity to do so in many regions of Kyrgyzstan, including the two
target districts for this project – Toktogul and Toguz-Toro. Pastures are not accurately identified and
mapped, there is no validated data on the number of livestock or pasture users, and the dynamic condition of
pastures is not documented or tracked, and thus the carrying capacity appropriate for sustainable land
management is not defined. Therefore PMCs are not able to develop and implement pasture management
plans that reflect sustainable land management practices. In addition, there is no data identifying areas of
pasture lands that may be particularly important for wildlife as migratory or dispersal corridors, or as
seasonal fodder areas, so appropriate pasture management measures to safeguard wildlife are also not
implemented.
112. Barrier 3: Low uptake of and capacity to implement international best practices for snow leopard
conservation and management of its habitat The international community, summoned by the leadership of
the President of Kyrgyz Republic, through the signing of the Snow Leopard Declaration in Bishkek, has
31
committed to preserve the snow leopard, and implement concrete activities in this respect. A Working
Secretariat of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Conservation Program was established in Bishkek. It
is important that capacities of countries to participate in this program are duly established, and in particular
with respect to: poaching, addressing the issue of killing the snow leopard by farmers, better control over
border movement to stop illegal wildlife trafficking; transboundary knowledge sharing about biodiversity
resources and exchange of skills and experience, including cooperative research and information
management; and a unified snow leopard monitoring system. Recently the GEF approved a global Medium-
Size project for conservation of snow leopard. The current proposed project will complement this global
snow leopard coordination support mechanism through enabling full participation of Kyrgyzstan
stakeholders in these important activities.
113. At present Kyrgyzstan has not adopted international best practices for conservation of snow
leopards, including necessary monitoring, and law enforcement. There is no national snow leopard-related
monitoring strategy or database, and existing monitoring approaches are fragmented, uncoordinated, and
undertaken by a variety of different stakeholders (i.e. PA staff, National Academy of Sciences, Department
of Rational Use of Natural Resources, NGOs) using different methods at different time intervals across
fractured spatial territories. As such, data on Kyrgyzstan’s snow leopard population does not have high
confidence levels, and is outdated. This is reflected by the fact that according to snow leopard population
data reported in the GSLEP, among snow leopard range states Kyrgyzstan has the lowest confidence level in
its reported population numbers (30% confidence, while the average among range states is 60% confidence),
and is in the lower half in terms of recency of its data (2001). Undertaking reasonable quality snow leopard
range mapping, research and monitoring programs require common international protocols, and national staff
capable of their application. Kyrgyzstan also requires sufficient law enforcement capacity and coordination
to effectively control illegal wildlife trade across its borders. Current wildlife law enforcement is not well-
coordinated between relevant parties, such as customs, border control, and police.
Stakeholder Analysis
114. During the project preparation stage, a stakeholder analysis was undertaken in order to identify key
stakeholders and assess their prospective roles and responsibilities in the context of the proposed project (see
also the profile of institutions in description of the Institutional Context above). Table 6 below lists the key
stakeholder organizations; provides a brief summary of the responsibilities of each of these stakeholder
organizations (specifically as it applies to the conservation of snow leopard and snow leopard habitats); and
broadly describes the anticipated role of each of the stakeholder organizations in supporting or facilitating
the implementation of project activities:
Table 6 Stakeholders and Roles in Project
Stakeholder Role
Government Agencies
State Agency on Environment
Protection and Forestry (SAEPF) and
WS GSLECP
Main implementation partner hosting the Department on Protected Areas,
the key stakeholder for the elaboration of the National PA planning
framework, WS GSLECP, ensuring organization of new PA; as well as
managerial and financial sustainability of the national PA system.
Ministry of Agriculture, Processing
Industry and Melioration
Key partner in the development and implementation of the pasture
management plans at target areas. (Output 2.3.)
State Registration Service of the
Kyrgyz Republic (SRS)
SRS will coordinate and control the registration of land property rights in
the vicinity of the project sites. Within its mandate, it is responsible for
the following: 1) regulating of land relations (state registration deed, land
cadastre) in the new PA, corridors and buffer zone (Output 2.1); and 2)
topography survey and mapping of the PA to prepare state registration
deed for land users (ibid)
State Agency on Local Self-
Governance and Interethnic Relations
Integration of SLM and biodiversity conservation and sustainable land
management issues into local development plans and their further
implementation (Output 2.1., 2.2.)
Province and District administrations Support to the establishment of the new PAs and integration of
biodiversity conservation into corresponding administrative level
development strategies and plans (Output 2.2.)
Local Communities
Local Self Governance Bodies These bodies are responsible for the elaboration and implementation of
local communities’ development strategies including local environment
32
Stakeholder Role
issues. They will be among the main project implementing partners at the
local level in integrated land use planning, buffer zones and corridors
(Outputs 2.1.1 and 2.1.3)
Associations of Pasture and Water
Users
They are the users of ecosystem services regulating access of local
communities to natural resources and sustainable use of biodiversity and
they will provide inputs to the development of the landscape level
management plan for Tian Shan that defines buffer zones and
conservation-friendly uses in sensitive areas, as well as play a role in the
development and implementation of alternative sustainable livelihoods
(Outputs 2.3.)
Communities of the PA buffer zones Active users of ecosystem services and to be involved in PA management
and sustainable use practices to be promoted by the project. (Output 1.4.,
Outputs 2.1., 2.2., 2.3.)
Non-government Organizations
Snow Leopard Trust Foundation implementing snow leopard conservation project in Central
Tian Shan aimed at habitat range monitoring, promoting anti-poaching
and livelihoods for local communities, will be a partner in the project for
relevant activities
Kyrgyzstan Association of Forest and
Land Users, CAMP Alatoo, and RDF
These NGOs will be involved to advocate for sustainable biodiversity
conservation and use and to promote Joint Forest Management practice
and HCVF concept and SFM certification piloting, as well as joint
patrolling (Outputs 1.11, 1.2, 1.4.). They will be also involved into
development of the pasture management plans and land use plans in
buffer zones and corridors jointly with local communities and state
administrations (Outputs 2.1., 2.2., 2.3.).
Research and Expertise
Two institutes of the National Science
Academy of the Kyrgyz Republic:
Biology and Soils Institute; Forest
Research Institute
Based on their experience and expertise, these institutes will play a role in
elaboration of the scientific grounds for biodiversity monitoring,
improving participation in biodiversity inventory, development of
biodiversity sustainable use norms, identification of the areas under strong
pressure, PA management effectiveness assessment (Outputs 1.1., 1.2.,
1.3.). Additionally they will be also involved into fostering Kyrgyzstan
participation in GSLEP activities on snow leopard monitoring and
research (Component 3 all Outputs).
Private Sector
Kyrgyz community based tourism
association (KCBTA)
To be involved in training of local communities to develop ecological
tourism facilities and infrastructure for PAs financial sustainability as well
as marketing of such community-based tours (Output 1.2 and 2.5).
Ayil Bank and micro-credit companies The bank has experience in supporting agriculture and rural development
and is considered one of the key potential partners of the implementation
of the Micro Credit Alternative Livelihoods Facility (Output 2.5).
Baseline Analysis
115. Without the GEF investment in the proposed project, the ‘business-as-usual scenario’ for the
conservation biodiversity (including snow leopards and their prey species), and the sustainable management
of forest and land resources is one where:
(i) The Western Tian Shan alpine forest and pasture landscape will not be managed as an integrated
whole, as management approaches will remain uncoordinated and un-cohesive, without buffer
zones, wildlife migration corridors, HCVFs and other high-biodiversity value landscape
elements identified and managed appropriately;
(ii) Newly established protected areas in the Western Tian Shan remain mostly as “paper parks”, as
authorities have low capacity to effective manage established protected areas, with little ability
to monitor biodiversity or monitor and enforce regulations, leading to ongoing declines in
threatened species;
(iii) Tens of thousands of forest resources in the Western Tian Shan, including HCVF, are not sustainably
managed for biodiversity benefits or other ecosystem services, are continuously degraded by
livestock intrusion and unmanaged domestic use, with little expansion in forest coverage as
33
livestock hampers natural regeneration and forest managers have low capacity to carry out
reforestation;
(iv) Hundreds of thousands of pasturelands in Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts, including alpine
pasturelands, continue to degrade from over- or under-grazing, as PMCs do not have capacity or
data to effectively implement SLM measures in accordance with the Law on Pastures; and
(v) Kyrgyzstan is only able to implement its national snow leopard and ecosystem conservation plan at a
basic level, without comprehensive national monitoring of snow leopards or their prey species,
and without effective wildlife trade monitoring and enforcement.
116. Although the country’s resources and capacity remains extremely limited, Kyrgyzstan has made
impressive policy advances and commitments to the sustainable management of forest and land resources,
the establishment of protected areas, and the conservation of snow leopards. In addition to committing
notable national resources, Kyrgyzstan is leveraging the support of development partners and other
stakeholder organizations to partially tackle some of the barriers to sustainable forest and land management,
and the conservation of biodiversity in the West Tian Shan. It is conservatively estimated that the current
annual baseline funding (from all sources) for sustainable forest and land management and conservation of
biodiversity in the Western Tian Shan amounts to approximately $7.8 million USD per year during the life of
the project. The breakdown of this baseline funding is briefly summarized below:
117. The baseline program funding from the SAEPF related to biodiversity conservation and nature
protected areas development is approximately $4.42 million USD per year from 2016-2018, and would be
expected to only increase marginally during the remaining years of proposed project; this represents the
national investment in the PA system as a whole. Thus the total national investment in protected areas over
the life of the project is anticipated at $22-$23 million USD. This financing for PAs comes from the state
budget, special Republican Fund for Nature Protection (RFNP), and Local Funds for Nature Protection
(LFNP). Over 80% of the funding is allocated to support protected area staff (including forest guard and
patrolling); the remainder supports basic PA infrastructure, and limited research activities. The baseline
funding for protected areas in Western Tian Shan amounts to approximately $1.2 million USD over the five-
year duration of the project, which covers salaries, basic infrastructure, as well as limited nature tourism.
Financing of the awareness raising and public relations at PAs in Western Tian Shan will amount to
approximately $0.6 million USD over the project duration. In addition, the State Inspectorate on Ecological
and Technical Safety will spend an average of $1.00 million USD per year nationally from 2016-2018 on
monitoring and control of ecological security, increasing an average of 1-2% per year for the remainder of
the project period.
118. A key baseline element for this project is Kyrgyzstan’s ten-year National Strategy and Action Plan
for Snow Leopard Conservation, 2013 – 2023 (current budget approximately $1 million USD). The main
goal is to prevent the decline of the Snow Leopard population in Kyrgyzstan. The plan defines the following
critical areas for intervention: (1) Protected Area expansion; (2) Conservation of snow leopard range in
productive landscapes outside PAs; and (3) International cooperation. While the priorities have been clearly
defined, the funding for the strategy has remained short and the Government of Kyrgyzstan appeals to the
international community for the support in its implementation, which this project responds.
119. The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Conservation Program (GSLEP) is an important
international baseline program, which this project directly builds upon. Although this is not a financing
project, rather a conventional framework, it unites governments, UN agencies, NGOs and researchers of the
snow leopard range in the effort to conserve this species, as postulated by the International Agreement on
snow leopard signed in Bishkek in 2013. The Working Secretariat of the GSLEP is based in Bishkek, and
currently requires support in human and technical capacities. The Working Secretariat receives in-kind
support from the government of Kyrgyzstan (via SAEPF) in terms of office space. GSLEP and the Working
Secretariat are also supported by the international NGO Snow Leopard Trust.
120. Kyrgyzstan is currently piloting reform of the forest sector, with the involvement of multiple
multilateral and bilateral partners, including the World Bank, FAO, and GIZ. The SAEPF currently plans
annual budget expenditures for “Forest Ecosystem Development” of approximately $6.79 million USD per
year for 2016-2018, and a similar level of expenditure can be anticipated beyond this. GIZ is providing
support of approximately $627,000 in various forms to the forest sector reform pilot process, through
approximately 2018. In addition, the GEF funded FAO implemented project “Sustainable Management of
Mountainous Forest and Land Resources under the Climate Change conditions” is contributing to the forest
sector reform process, by supporting two of the six pilot leskhozes. The project includes $5.45 million in
GEF funding, as well as more than $19 million in in-kind co-financing, though the project includes many
activities not related to forest sector reform. The project is currently scheduled for completion at the end of
34
2018. The World Bank project “Integrated Forest Ecosystems Management” is starting up in Kyrgyzstan in
the 2nd half of 2016. The project aims to support (i) Forest Sector Institutional Reform, (ii) Strategic
Investments and Piloting of Sustainable Management Approaches in 12 pilot leskhozes and (iii) the National
Forest Inventory and Forest Management Informational System operationalization. The project is funded
with $16.1 million USD ($6.6 million IDA credit; $5.4 million IDA grant, and $4.1 million GEF grant), and
is scheduled to be completed in September 2021.
121. Kyrgyzstan’s Law on Pastures was passed in 2009, but implementation remains uneven across the
country. The law authorized the establishment of Pasture User Associations, with designated Pasture
Management Committees responsible for oversight of management of their PUA’s pasture allocation.
Kyrgyzstan continues to work to effectively implement the law throughout all national pasturelands, with
some external support. The Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and Melioration has budgeted a
total of $71.1 million USD over the period 2016-2018 for Support to Husbandry, though not all of this
relates specifically to implementation of SLM through implementation of the Law on Pastures. Other partner
organizations are also working in this realm, with a key initiative being the IFAD-funded “Livestock and
markets development Programme II” project, which is assisting with the development of pasture
management plans incorporating SLM principles, among other things, in Jalal-Abad, Batken, and Osh
provinces. The project has $32 million USD in funding from IFAD, and is being implemented from 2013-
2018. In addition, the World Bank is supporting a $15 million “Pasture and Livestock Improvement Project”,
currently implemented from 2015-2019. From the project $11.44 million is supporting Community-based
Pasture Management
122. In terms of socio-economic development programs, The Regional Development Fund jointly with the
National Project on Agricultural Financing-4 have set aside about $78.4 million USD in the next two years
for credit (10% annual interest rate) to farmers for crop improvement, husbandry, and food processing.
Micro-crediting institutions play an important role in rural development of Kyrgyzstan. Many of these
companies and banks have experience in collaboration with UNDP for new products, including those
oriented to environmental issues and sustainable development. There are over 110 branches of microcredit
institutions in the country, which creates an important foundation for the sustainable livelihoods component
of this project.
123. These initiatives in the baseline scenario are significant insofar as they provide basic support to
Western Tian Shan and a framework for socio-economic development for local communities. However, the
territorial coverage of protected areas and buffer zones remains inadequate from a conservation perspective
and local communities continue to pursue biodiversity-incompatible livelihoods that undermine conservation
efforts. The summary of the scenarios with and without the GEF investment is provided in later Table 10 in
the section on benefits of the GEF Alternative.
124. Kyrgyzstan has approached the World Bank’s Climate Investment Funds for participation in the Pilot
Program on Climate Resilience (PPCR), though it is in the early stages of the discussion for funding. The
first Joint Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) mission to Kyrgyzstan was carried out by the World Bank,
the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Asian Development Bank from April 18-
22, 2016. In 2015, Kyrgyzstan was approved for an initial grant of $1.5 million USD to support development
of its Strategic Program on Climate Resilience.
125. Within the overarching framework of the regional programme, GIZ in partnership with the Forestry
Agency, is implementing the $3.1 million USD project “Adaptation to climate change through sustainable
forest management” until 2018. The project is facilitating the negotiation and conclusion of Joint Forest
Management (JFM) contracts with local communities. The project will also strengthen the capacities of the
SAEPF and the forest enterprises and their staff to improve the planning, implementation and monitoring of
forestry climate resilient activities (including JFM). It will seek to facilitate the development and
implementation of vocational training for foresters. Finally, it will enable the establishment of seed
management and seedling production systems for climate-resistant tree species and varieties.
126. Panthera, an international NGO, is actively supporting a range of snow leopard conservation
initiatives in Kyrgyzstan. Its activities include: conducting broad snow leopard population surveys and threat
assessments in the Central Tian Shan; piloting community-based conservancies to reduce farmer-snow
leopard conflict; field training for conservation biologists; and assessing the conservation status of snow
leopards and their prey in selected areas. The collective financial commitment to these activities is
conservatively estimated at US$100,000 per year.
127. NABU, an international NGO, is also working on snow leopard conservation in Kyrgyzstan. NABU
established an initiative on wildlife law enforcement called “Gruppa Bars”, and is carrying out a regional
project on snow leopard conservation in the Northern Tian Shan, including Kazakhstan, since January 2013.
35
Information on annual funding of NABU’s activities in Kyrgyzstan was not available, but is assumed to be
relatively small (<$100,000 USD/year).
128. FFI, an international NGO, has been working in the Central Tian Shan on snow leopard conservation
since 2005, helping the staff at Sarychat-Ertash Reserve to combat poaching, monitor snow leopards, and
engage communities. FFI has expanded its focus to include working with the Naryn Reserve, another snow
leopard stronghold in the Central Tian Shan, to strengthen its technical capacity. FFI aims to enable both
reserves to deliver more effective management, as well as enhancing ecological connectivity between the
reserves, and improving community outreach in support of snow leopard conservation. Information on the
annual funding of FFI’s work in Kyrgyzstan was not available, but is assumed to be relatively small
(<$100,000 USD/year), and FFI does not currently have activities in the Western Tian Shan, although FFI is
contributing to Kyrgyzstan’s snow leopard conservation efforts at the national level.
129. WWF, an international NGO, does not have a country office in Kyrgyzstan, but is supporting some
snow leopard conservation activities through various projects, primarily focused in Sarychat-Ertash Reserve,
in the Central Tian Shan. Information on funding of WWF’s work in Kyrgyzstan was not available, but is
assumed to be relatively small (<$100,000 USD/year).
36
Part II. Strategy
Project Rationale and Policy Conformity
Fit with the GEF Focal Area Strategies and Strategic Programs
130. The project is consistent with the objectives of, as well as contributing to the outcomes and outputs
of GEF’s Biodiversity, Land Degradation and Sustainable Forest Management Focal Area Strategies for the
GEF-6 period.
131. For the Biodiversity Focal Area (BD), the project will contribute to the expected outcomes and
indicators of BD -1 Program 2 and BD 4 Program 9 as outlined in Table 7 below:
Table 7 Project Compliance with GEF Biodiversity Results Framework
GEF-6 Biodiversity Results Framework
Objective Program Outcome Indicator (and project
contribution to indicator)
BD-1 Improve
sustainability of
protected area systems
Program 1: Improving
Financial Sustainability
and Effective
Management of the
National Ecological
Infrastructure
Program 2: Nature’s
Last Stand: Expanding
the reach of the global
protected area estate
Outcome 1.2: Improve
management effectiveness
of protected areas
Outcome 2.1: Increase in
area of terrestrial and
marine ecosystems of
global significance in new
protected areas and
increase in threatened
species of global
significance protected in
new protected areas.
Outcome 2.2: Improved
management effectiveness
of new protected areas
Indicator 1.2: Protected area
management effectiveness score.
Project contribution to indicator:
The project strengthens
management effectiveness in
four key previously existing PAs
in the Western Tian Shan
landscape, with a total area of
198,777 ha, from a METT
baseline of an average of 44 to
an average of greater than 51, an
increase of more than 16%.
Indicator 2.1: Area of terrestrial
and marine ecosystems and
number of threatened species.
Project contribution to indicator:
The project supports
establishment of two new PAs
with a total area of 87,323 ha.
The project also creates wildlife
corridors and buffer zones at a
total area of >50,000 ha, but it is
anticipated these will overlap
with the forest and pastureland
management area (indicator 9.1
below).
Indicator 2.2: Protected area
management effectiveness score.
Project contribution to indicator:
The project strengthens the
management of two newly
established protected areas
(Alatai SNP and Kan-Achuu
SNP), from METT baseline
values of 17 and 16, respectively,
to a target of >50 for both PAs.
37
BD-4 Mainstream
biodiversity
conservation and
sustainable use into
production landscapes
and seascapes and
production sectors
Program 9: Managing
the Human-Biodiversity
Interface
Outcome 9.1 Increased
area of production
landscapes and seascapes
that integrate conservation
and sustainable use of
biodiversity into
management.
Indicator 9.1 Production
landscapes and seascapes that
integrate biodiversity
conservation and sustainable use
into their management.
Project contribution to indicator:
The project secures HCVF in
34,383 ha, and implements
biodiversity considerations in
management of alpine
pasturelands covering 147,268
ha, for a total direct contribution
of 181,650 ha. The project also
includes indirect contribution
covering 944,317 ha, which is
the area of the two pilot districts,
less the other areas of direct
contribution, since the project
will work with the districts’
administrations to integrate
biodiversity considerations into
districts’ development plans.
132. For the Land Degradation Focal Area (LD), the project will contribute to the expected outcomes
and indicators of LD-3 Program 4 out indicated in Table 8 below:
Table 8 Project Compliance with GEF Land Degradation Results Framework
GEF-6 Land Degradation Results Framework
Objective Program Outcome Indicator (and project
contribution to indicator)
LD-3 Integrated
Landscapes: Reduce
pressures on natural
resources from
competing land uses in
the wider landscape
Program 4: Scaling-up
sustainable land
management through the
landscape approach
Outcome 3.2: Integrated
landscape management
practices adopted by
local communities based
on gender sensitive
needs
Indicator 3.2: Application of
integrated natural resource
management (INRM) practices in
wider landscapes.
Project contribution to indicator:
As a direct impact, the project
will integrate and implement
SLM practices in pasture
management plans for 147,268 ha
of pasturelands bordering PAs
(including 65,361 ha of degraded
pasturelands) in four target
communities. As an indirect
impact, the project will ensure
adoption of ecologically sound
land and natural resource
management practices in
territorial development of two
districts with a total area of 1.22
million ha.
133. For the Sustainable Forest Management Focal Area (SFM), the project will contribute to the
expected outcomes and indicators of SFM-1, SFM-2 and SFM-3 as indicated in Table 9 below:
Table 9 Project Compliance with GEF SFM Results Framework
GEF-6 Sustainable Forest Management Results Framework
Objective Program Outcome Indicator (and project
contribution to indicator)
SFM-1 Maintained Program 2: Outcome 1: Cross- Indicator 1: Area of high conser-
38
Forest Resources:
Reduce the pressures
on high conservation
value forests by
addressing the drivers
of deforestation.
Identification and
maintenance of high
conservation value
forests.
sector policy and
planning approaches at
appropriate governance
scales, avoid loss of high
conservation value
forests
vation value forest identified and
maintained.
Project contribution to indicator:
40,839 ha of HCVF are identified
and maintained.
SFM-2: Enhanced
Forest Management:
Maintain flows of
forest ecosystem
services and improve
resilience to climate
change through SFM.
Program 5: Capacity
development for SFM
within local
communities.
Outcome 3: Increased
application of good
management practices in
all forests by relevant
government, local
community (both women
and men) and private
sector actors.
Indicator 3: Area of sustainably
managed forest, stratified by
forest management actors.
Project contribution to indicator:
34,383 ha of two leskhozes’
forests are under SFM and joint
forest management arrangements.
SFM-3 Restored
Forest Ecosystems:
Reverse the loss of
ecosystem services
within degraded forest
landscapes
Program 7: Building
technical and
institutional capacities to
identify degraded forest
landscapes and monitor
forest restoration.
Outcome 5: Integrated
landscape restoration
plans to maintain forest
ecosystem services are
implemented at
appropriate scales by
government, private
sector and local
community actors, both
women and men.
Indicator 5: Area of forest
resources restored in the
landscape, stratified by forest
management actors.
Project contribution to indicator:
At least 4,886 ha of degraded
mountain forests are restored.
Rationale and Summary of GEF Alternative
134. The strategic context for this GEF-funded project is provided by multiple ongoing policy initiatives
and priorities in Kyrgyzstan: (i) the expansion of the national protected area system to increase PA coverage
to the stated international target objective of at least 10% of national territory; (ii) the national forest sector
reform process, currently underway until at least the end of 2018; (iii) ongoing national enhancement of local
resource user groups’ capacities to effectively implement the Law on Pastures, including SLM elements; and
Kyrgyzstan’s strong support for the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program, including
Kyrgyzstan’s own National Strategy for Snow Leopard Conservation.
135. The ‘alternative scenario’ that the project seeks to contribute to is characterized by: (i) preventing the
further fragmentation of key biodiversity landscapes and degradation of forest and land resources in
Kyrgyzstan that provide critical ecosystem services; (ii) ensuring habitat connectivity across the Western
Tian Shan landscape for key species, including snow leopard and prey; (iii) improving the conservation
status, and sustainability of pasture and forest use in mountain ecosystems; (iv) implementation of snow
leopard and prey monitoring and conservation measures, and reduction of direct threats, in the Western Tian
Shan and other Kyrgyzstan priority snow leopard conservation landscapes.
136. Project outputs and activities will be spatially targeted in the project’s ‘planning domain’. The
selection of the projects target sites and regions was premised on the following criteria: (i) coverage of a
significant proportion of snow leopard and other key species’ range in Kyrgyzstan; (ii) inclusion of newly
established SPNAs with weak management capacities in the globally significant Western Tian Shan
ecosystem; (iii) inclusion of natural dispersal and migration routes for snow leopard and their prey, with
specific consideration of linkages to the within the habitat in the Western Tian Shan region; (iv) forest areas
used by threatened and endemic species, including snow leopard and/or their prey; (v) inclusion of relatively
intact habitats and ecosystems; and (vi) inclusion of sufficiently large and intact landscapes that will
contribute to achieving wider landscape scale conservation, as well as trans-boundary conservation
objectives for snow leopards, their prey and associated ecosystems in the Western Tian Shan.
137. The project planning domain selected for the project during the PPG phase, comprises two primary
focus areas – Toktogul district and Toguz-Toro district, within which the newly established PAs are located,
as shown in Figure 6 below.
39
Figure 6 Snow Leopard and Prey Habitat and National PAs in the Western Tian Shan49
138. The planning domain extends from the center of Kyrgyzstan to the western border with Kazakhstan
and Uzbekistan, filling the gaps in the PA network and thus establishing an integrated and cohesive
landscape conservation approach, as well as ensuring vital linkages to the Central and Inner Tian Shan
ecoregions.
139. The project strategy is focused on four strategic areas of intervention as follows:
140. Conservation areas: Improving the conservation tenure and conservation security of national parks
and other protected areas by developing systemic, institutional and individual capacities to implement
effective PA management.
141. Forest areas: improving the ecological integrity of forests in the Western Tian Shan by: (i)
identifying and enhancing the status of HCVF, including ensuring ecologically sensitive approaches to wood
harvesting, ensuring the sustainability of NTFP use, and establishing joint forest management mechanisms;
and (ii) rehabilitating degraded forests. Forest zones between snow leopard habitats can help provide cover
for snow leopards transiting from one part of their home range to another. However, the more relevant
linkage is to the conservation of wild ungulates as snow leopard prey species. HCVF zones are part of a
heterogeneous ecosystem complex that support various species, including snow leopard prey species. Snow
leopard prey species do migrate between different habitat areas seasonally (e.g. from high altitude summer
habitats to lower altitude winter habitats), and forest belts contribute to the integrity and ecological utility of
wildlife corridors and buffer zones. Sustainable management of HCVF areas is therefore critical for the
conservation of biodiversity and integrity of the Western Tian Shan ecosystem.
142. Livestock pasture areas: (i) improving sustainable pasturelands management across the targeted
critical Western Tian Shan key biodiversity areas, by development of the institutional and individual
capacities of the community-based Pasture Management Committees, catalyzing changes to unsustainable
practices by means of participatory development of pasture management and grazing plans; and (ii) reducing
the risk of conflicts between pastoralists and wildlife, including snow leopard and their prey, by inclusion of
wildlife ecological considerations into pasture management plans, as well as involvement of Pasture
Management Committees into SPNA public boards.
49 GEF-World Bank Western Tian Shan Ecosystem Development Project, 2008.
New PA Alatai
New PA Kan-Achuu
40
143. Development of national scientific monitoring and law enforcement capacities for snow leopard
conservation: Expanding the reach of research, monitoring and planning efforts about snow leopard, its prey,
and their habitats by building institutional capacities, resources and partnerships between the PAs, academia,
law enforcement bodies, hunting service providers and local communities on the national and local levels.
Targeted support will be directly aimed to develop national capacities and set the scene for international
cooperation on snow leopard to contribute to implementation of Kyrgyzstan’s NSSLC. Cross-sectoral and
multi-level awareness raising campaigns targeting different focus groups, which range from parliament to
local communities dwellers will contribute to the behavioral change and social mobilization as well as
lobbying enabling frames improvement.
144. The project is structured into three components, with each component comprised of two outcomes
with four to five outputs, which will jointly contribute to the achievement the targeted outcomes for the
components.
145. Component 1 will be focused on conservation and sustainable management of Key Biodiversity
Areas within landscapes supporting the national PA network for increased representation of vulnerable
species habitat, including snow leopards, in the PA system habitat, and avoided loss of High Conservation
Value Forests through official recognition (Outcome 1). For this the work will focus around four areas of
support: Output 1.1: Expanded operational SPNA network in the Western Tian Shan Region through the
support to operationalize the two new State Nature Parks of Alatai and Kan-Achuu; Output 1.2: Upgraded
status of HCVF, and sustainable forest management involving local communities; Output 1.3: Enhanced
management and conservation capacities of Western Tian Shan PAs in Jalal-Abad Province, and
strengthened HCVF management; Output 1.4 Strengthened participatory patrolling, enforcement and
surveillance systems of new and existing PAs through the Local PA Management Board and joint patrol
groups to enforce anti-poaching.
146. Component 2 will focus on ecosystem resilience and habitat connectivity in Western Tian Shan
enhancement by regulating land and forest use in buffer zones and corridors and supporting sustainable
livelihoods (Outcome 2). For this, the project will work in five areas: Output 2.1 Identified and designated
buffer zones for new SPNAs and wildlife corridors between relevant SPNAs, and species management plans
drafted and implemented; Output 2.2: Territorial development plans of Toktogul and Toguz- Toro districts
and communities aligned with biodiversity conservation, SFM and SLM objectives with needed
modifications; Output 2.3: Degraded rangelands important both for livelihoods and wildlife, including snow
leopard prey species, in the target districts rehabilitated through improved local pasture management plans;
Output 2.4: Restoration of degraded forests important for wildlife, including snow leopard prey, and
livelihoods of local communities; and Output 2.5: Alternative livelihoods program for local communities
designed jointly with the local micro-crediting institutions, and launched to support target communities.
147. Component 3 will aim to strengthen national capacities for snow leopard conservation, promoting
Kyrgyz regional and global cooperation, and setting the scene for up-scaling (Outcome 3). The work on this
component will be concentrated of four areas: Output 3.1: Law enforcement capacities of relevant
stakeholders enhanced through trainings on wildlife protection aimed at identification and prosecution of
wildlife crime; Output 3.2: Capacities for deployment of international standards for long-term monitoring of
parameters critical for snow leopard conservation in national priority landscapes developed, based on
international GSLEP monitoring framework; Output 3.3: Kyrgyzstan participation in the Global Snow
Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programs supported, aimed at synergies and coordination of national,
transboundary and regional level activities; and Output 3.4 Implementation of Kyrgyzstan's National
Strategy on Snow Leopard Conservation supported in nationally identified priority landscapes provided, in
alignment and coordination with GSLEP and other relevant initiatives.
148. The total cost of investment in the project is estimated at $28,507,758 USD of which $3,988,575
USD constitutes grant funding from GEF and $24,519,183 USD comprises co-financing from national
government (SAEPF), local governments (Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts), the National Nature
Protection and Forestry Development Fund, UNDP, NGOs (Panthera) and other development partners (GIZ).
Please see a table in Annex 13 explaining how co-financing is related to various outcomes of the project.
149. The anticipated long-term benefits of the GEF investment are summarized in the following Table 10:
Table 10 Long-term Benefits of the GEF Investment
Baseline GEF Alternative Benefits
Biodiversity
With current funding
priorities under the
PA system in Western Tian Shan
offers improved representation for
Strengthened Kyrgyzstan PA
system with improved management
41
Baseline GEF Alternative Benefits
baseline Governmental
Program and Action Plan
on Transition to
Sustainable Development
for 2013-2017, funding
will be sufficient to cover
only basic support to
existing PAs, but
insufficient to implement
management of newly
established PA. There will
be no integration of PAs in
the wider landscape in
Western Tian Shan. There
will be no financial support
for communities living
near the PAs in Western
Tian Shan to establish
biodiversity-friendly
businesses and land
management practices.
About 17% of the currently
unprotected alpine
grassland ecosystems and
25% of the relict spruce
forest ecosystems and
walnut and fruit forests in
the Western Tian Shan are
predicted to degrade in the
next 10 years, due to
excessive grazing by
increasing numbers of
livestock, unmanaged
arable farming, and
unregulated wood cutting.
Populations of threatened
species are likely to
decrease in the Western
Tian Shan landscape,
including snow leopard
(Panthera uncia), Tian
Shan argali (Ovis ammon karelini), Tian Shan Maral
(Cervus elaphus),
Turkestan lynx (Lynx lynx
isabellinus), Tian Shan
white clawed bear (Ursus
arctos isabellinus),
Menzbier’s marmot
(Marmota menzbieri) Tian
Shan Fir (Abies
Semenovii), Siever’s Apple
(Malus sieversii),
Niedzvedzky’s apple
(Malus niedzwetzkyana),
Knorring Hawthorn
(Crataegus knorringiana),
cinereous vulture
(Aegypius monachus), and
Saker falcon (Falco
cherrug).
threatened species notably by
improving habitat coverage of
snow leopard and other threatened
species. Effective management for
at least 286,099 ha habitat of
under-represented globally
threatened species and globally
significant ecosystems under
protection by 2021, with
strengthened PA management
units, and developed management
plans.
Improved monitoring and
enforcement of hunting regulations
in game reserves and other hunting
areas beyond PA borders in two
target districts.
Recognition in local development
and resource-use planning of the
establishment of a landscape-level
approach to biodiversity
conservation for the Western Tian
Shan with established connectivity
to PAs through buffer zones,
corridors, and other Key
Biodiversity Areas (i.e. HCVF
stands).
Key biodiversity areas in forest
and pasturelands outside PAs are
identified, recognized in
management documents, and
resource use is managed in
accordance with biodiversity
requirements.
Under-represented biodiversity is
studied and monitored on a
systematic basis.
for 286,099 ha of PAs in the
Western Tian Shan, including
87,323 ha in two recently
established PAs, and 198,776 ha in
four previously established PAs in
the Western Tian Shan.
Increased PA coverage of the range
of snow leopards in Western Tian
Shan.
Management effectiveness of the
existing (198,776 ha) and newly
established (87,323 ha) PAs in
Western Tian Shan is increased by
an average of 45% over the
baseline (measured by METT).
Migration corridors and buffer
zones covering >50,000 ha.
Biodiversity conservation
principles integrated in territorial
plans of two administrative
districts (1,218,175 ha), including
the State Forest Fund territory
managed by leskhozes and
municipal pastureland territory in
the two districts.
Removal of threats (15% reduction
in illegal wood cutting; 100%
reduction in poaching) through
increased protection of globally
threatened species listed in IUCN
Red Data List and associated prey
species - snow leopard (Panthera
uncia), ibex (Capra sibirica),
argali (Ovis ammon karelini),
Turkestan lynx (Lynx lynx
isabellinus), Tian Shan white
clawed bear (Ursus arctos
isabellinus), Tian Shan fir, and
wild apple and hawthorn forest
stands.
The project results contribute to
CBD PoWPA (expansion of PAs,
integration of PAs in wider
landscapes, and community
engagement schemes) and Aichi
targets.
Sustainable Land Management
42
Baseline GEF Alternative Benefits
Pasture Management
Committees do not have
capacity or data to
implement sustainable
grazing and land
management practices in
their respective
pasturelands
Overgrazed pastures:
exceeding carrying
capacity by 1.5-2 times
resulting in reduced
provision of ecosystem
services, leading to reduced
economic and ecological
productivity, and
diminished livelihoods;
Livestock numbers
continue to increase
beyond ecological carrying
capacity;
Increased extent of less
palatable grass and plant
species, indicating
degradation of
pasturelands;
Pasturelands in forest
territory are not managed
in a coordinated and
cohesive manner;
Poor agricultural land
management near protected
areas;
Wildlife is negatively
impacted by livestock
presence in key
biodiversity areas at critical
times of year.
Ecosystem services valued and
incorporated in territorial planning
based on multi-stakeholders
engagement;
Dynamic pasture quality inventory
integrated annually into grazing
plans;
Sustainable pasture management
practices implemented: rotational
grazing to maintain soil upper
layer; stimulate grasses for
vigorous growth and healthy root
systems through pasture watering
and setting additional watering
places and wells; increased
investments in repair and
maintenance of key pasture
infrastructure (bridges) allows
greater flock mobility; using the
grazing process to feed livestock
through maintaining soil cover and
managing plant species
composition to maintain feed
quality; hay farming in support of
intensive pastures established on
appropriate lands to remove loads
on natural meadows and fodders
during the winter period;
regeneration of the natural pasture
covers using natural pasture seeds.
SLM best practices are applied
across sectors and integrated
management approaches are
applied across different land use
sectors in wider Tian Shan as
result of replication.
Micro grants are offered to
establish alternative livelihoods,
serving as a lasting financial
support mechanism for funding
alternative livelihoods and could
benefit over 1,000 recipients in the
7-10 years immediately after the
project.
Competitive pressures between
land uses in mountain pasture and
forest landscapes reduced in
productive lands of two
administrative districts (1,218,175
ha, including 663,431 ha of alpine
pasturelands, and 34,383 ha of
forested state forest fund land);
Improved vegetation cover, fodder
productivity and pasture
regeneration throughout 147,268
ha of pastureland of four target
communities;
Decrease in grazing pressure and
improved condition of mountain
grassland ecosystems over 65,361
ha;
Well-functioning ecosystem
services, such as forage
productivity at mountain pastures,
stable water flows, and reduced
erosion;
Enhanced security of agricultural
livelihoods for 23,939 rural
inhabitants, including 5,138 rural
poor;
Increased incidence of SLM
approaches applied by small-scale
holders leading to soil and
vegetation quality improvements;
Avoided loss and increased
sequestration of organic carbon
content in forest soils by 729,246
tCO2; increased sequestration of
organic carbon content in
pastureland soils by 2,732,090
tCO2 (based on Tier-1 FAO EX-
ACT model).
Sustainable Forest Management
Continued degradation of
endemic fir, ecologically
important juniper, and
genetically important
walnut-fruit forests in
Western Tian Shan
resulting from:
Illegal logging in forests in
valuable ecosystems for
fuel wood and local
construction;
Poorly managed grazing in
forests causing low natural
regeneration of forests;
Forest lands encroachment
for agriculture, settlements
Sustainable use principles
integrated in forest management
plans for 40,839 ha of forests
designated as High Conservation
Value Forests;
Adjustment of volume, timing and
mode of sanitary cutting to ensure
ecological principles, and
harvesting of non-timber resources
in Juniper and wild nut forests, in
line with ecosystem carrying
capacity principles and wildlife
migration corridors;
Reforestation of degraded forests;
Sustainable management of
grazing in forest pastures to
40,839 ha of HCVF designated and
put under SFM insuring stability of
ecosystem functions, such as
genetic reserves, habitat for
biodiversity and avoided GHG
emissions of 1,171,205 tCO2.
4,886 ha of degraded forests
regenerated, sequestering
1,079,098 tCO2 (based on Tier-1
FAO EX-ACT model).
Key biodiversity areas in forest
zones identified, demarcated, and
managed appropriately as corridors
and buffer zones to ensure
ecosystem cohesiveness and good
habitat quality for threatened and
43
Baseline GEF Alternative Benefits
and mining;
Unsustainable harvesting
of non-timber forest
products.
support natural regeneration;
National codification of the
applied HCVF approach in
Kyrgyzstan;
Training of foresters and
communities in forest management
planning and enforcement of
HCVF standards.
globally significant wildlife,
including snow leopard and prey.
Capacity Development and Knowledge Management
Pasture Management
Committees do not have
capacity to implement
sustainable land
management in Toktogul
and Toguz-Toro districts;
Forest managers in
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro
do not have knowledge and
capacity to apply HCVF
approach to forest
management in State
Forest Fund lands;
Protected area managers in
the Western Tian Shan do
not have capacity for
effective PA management;
Baseline information on
the distribution, abundance,
seasonality and recruitment
rates of snow leopards and
prey remains incomplete;
No national mechanism in
place to coordinate the
monitoring of snow
leopard and prey;
National Strategy and
Action Plan on the
Conservation of Snow
Leopard in place, but
underfunded and not fully
under implementation.
Provide data and knowledge
management tools to support
implementation of SLM;
Provide equipment and training for
PA managers in Western Tian
Shan to improve management of
PAs;
Raise awareness of HCVF
approach, and train foresters on
implementation;
Develop, implement and maintain
a consolidated national snow
leopard monitoring, reporting and
information management system;
Host training sessions for
researchers, scientists, academics,
volunteers, students, NGO staff,
government field staff, etc. on
biodiversity, including snow
leopard monitoring and reporting
and the relevant biodiversity
information management system;
Increase the coverage of camera
traps, aerial surveys and aerial
photography for monitoring and
reporting on snow leopard and/or
medium-sized ungulate
populations;
Facilitate the opportunistic fitting
of radio collars to individual cats
and evaluate the cost-effectiveness
of fecal DNA analysis for species
identification; and
Facilitate the participation and
involvement of national scientists,
researchers, managers and
academics in regional/international
snow leopard conservation
initiatives.
Increase capacity for effective PA
management for six Western Tian
Shan PAs, involving more than 150
PA staff;
Four Pasture Management
Committees responsible for
management of 147,268 ha of
pasturelands have capacity to
implement SLM in pasture
management plans;
A strong scientific base for the
conservation of snow leopard and
their prey is established;
A national snow leopard
monitoring and reporting system,
and a national snow leopard
information management system, is
established and operational,
improving timeliness and quality of
snow leopard population
estimation to an annual estimate
with greater than 50% certainty;
The national coverage (as a % of
the total snow leopard range) of
snow leopard and prey monitoring
activities increases from a baseline
of less than 10% for snow leopard,
and 5% for snow leopard prey, to
more than 25% and 20 %
respectively; and
At least 15 managers, scientists,
researchers or academics
participate in regional snow
leopard conservation initiatives,
and at least 10 attend and
participate in regional monitoring
and report-back meetings of the
GSLEP.
Project Goal, Objective, Outcomes and Outputs/Activities
150. The project objective is: To promote a landscape approach to protection of internationally
important biodiversity, and land and forest resources in the Western Tian Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan.
151. In order to achieve the project objective, and address the barriers, the project’s intervention has been
organized into three components (this is in line with the components presented at the PIF stage):
Component 1. Conservation and sustainable management of Key Biodiversity Areas
within the Western Tian Shan landscape.
Component II. Ecosystem resilience and habitat connectivity in Western Tian Shan are enhanced by
regulating land and forest use in buffer zones and corridors and support to sustainable livelihoods.
44
Component III. Strengthening national capacities for Kyrgyz regional and global cooperation and
setting the scene for scaling-up snow leopard conservation.
152. The project activities will be implemented across a scaled planning domain, reaching from local to
national levels. A summary of the targeted planning domain is indicated in Table 11 below.
Table 11 Target Planning Domain Levels and Stakeholders of Project
Local District Provincial/Regional National
Western Tian Shan
mountain ecosystems
within Jalal-Abad
Province: 3,111,300
ha
Jalal-Abad Provincial
natural resource
management
authorities
- National stakeholders
related to snow leopard
conservation, biodiversity
conservation, wildlife law
enforcement, sustainable
forest management, and
sustainable land
management
- Gissar-Alai national
priority snow leopard
conservation landscape (for
some monitoring and
enforcement activities 3)
Note: National level
activities are primarily
targeted under Component
3
Cholpon-Ata A/A:
Population 7,364; nearest
community to main Alatai
SNP territory
Cholpon-Ata Pasture
Management Committee:
Responsible for
management of 43,499 ha
of pasturelands
Toktogul District
Administration:
Responsible for
management of 821,937 ha
of district territory
Toktogul leskhoz:
Responsible for
management of 25,387 ha
of forest lands
Alatai SNP: 56,826.4 ha;
est. 2016
Kyzyl-Ozgorush A/A:
Population 10,943; near to
Kan-Achuu SNP territory,
but on Toktogul district
side
Kyzyl-Ozgorush Pasture
Management Committee:
Responsible for
management of 45,768 ha
of pasturelands
Kok-Irim A/A: Population
2,929; near to Kan-Achuu
SNP territory
Kok-Irim Pasture
Management Committee:
Responsible for 34,962 ha
of pasture
Toguz-Toro District
Administration:
Responsible for
management of 396,238 ha
of district territory
Toguz-Toro leskhoz:
Responsible for
management of 8,995 ha of
forest lands
Kan-Achuu SNP: 30,496.5
ha; est. 2015
Atai A/A: Population
2,310; near to Kan-Achuu
SNP territory
Atai Pasture Management
Committee: Responsible
for 23,039 ha of pasture
Saimaluu-Tash SNP:
31,925 ha; est. 2001; World
Heritage natural/cultural
candidate site
Other key Western Tian
Shan PAs:
Besh Aral SNP:
112,463 ha; est. 1979,
World Heritage Site
Padysh-Ata SNP:
30,556 ha; est. 2003;
World Heritage Site
45
Local District Provincial/Regional National
Sary-Chelek Biosphere
Reserve: 23,832 ha;
est. 1959; World
Heritage Site /
Biosphere Reserve
153. The project target area includes six specific protected areas, all of which are considered Key
Biodiversity Areas, as indicated in Table XX below.
Protected
Area
National
Designation
IUCN
Category
International Designation Other Global
Designation
KBA
Criteria
Alatai State Nature
Park
II Newly established within the boundaries
of the Kyrgyzstan portion of Western
Tian Shan World Heritage Site
Within
“Mountains of
Central Asia”
hotspot (one of
36 globally);
part of the
Global 200
Ecoregion
Middle Asian
Montane Steppe
& Woodlands
(one of 238
globally)
A1, B2,
B3, C
Kan-Achuu State Nature
Park
II Newly established within the boundaries
of the Kyrgyzstan portion of Western
Tian Shan World Heritage Site
A1, B2,
B3, C
Sary-Chelek State
Biosphere
Reserve
I Biosphere Reserve, Part of the
Kyrgyzstan portion of the Western Tian
Shan World Heritage Site
A1, B2,
B3, C
Padysh-Ata State Nature
Reserve
I Part of the Kyrgyzstan portion of the
Western Tian Shan World Heritage
Site
A1, B2,
B3, C
Besh-Aral State Nature
Reserve
I Part of the Kyrgyzstan portion of the
Western Tian Shan World Heritage
Site
A1, B2,
B3, C,
D1
Saimaluu-Tash State Nature
Park
II Saimaluu-Tash World Heritage Site A1, B2,
B3, C
154. The outputs and activities under each of the three components are described in detail below.
Component 1: Conservation and Sustainable Management of Key Biodiversity Areas Within the
Western Tian Shan Landscape
155. The work under this component will be spatially focused in two key conservation areas: the State
Nature Park “Alatai” and the State Nature Park “Kan-Achuu” located in two administrative districts,
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro respectively, of Jalal-Abad Province. The characteristics of these two SPNAs are
briefly summarized in Table 12 below.
Table 12 Primary Targeted SPNAs Main Characteristics
Characteristics “Alatai” State Nature Park “Kan-Achuu” State Nature Park
Location Located in the western part of the
Western Tian Shan region, in
Toktogul District of Jalal-Abad
Province.
Located in the central part of the
Western Tian Shan, in Toguz-Toro
District of Jalal-Abad Province.
Date of establishment Established in 2016 by Governmental
Resolution as of 26.01, # 27
Established in 2015 by Governmental
Resolution as of 11.09, #132
Area The area of the park 56,826.4 ha The nature area of the park is 30,496.5
ha
Tentative staff number 17 14
Snow leopard
population estimate
In 2015, the estimates of game
rangers 6-8 cats.
In 2015, the local estimates of game
rangers 4-6 cats
Snow leopard prey
ungulates
In 2015, the ibex population in
Toktogul district was estimated at up
to 85 heads.
In 2015, the ibex population in Toguz-
Toro was 120 heads.
Conservation
challenges
The weak staffing, lack of equipment and infrastructure, harsh mountainous
topography and extreme weather conditions, as well as low awareness of local
46
communities about the SPNA establishment constrains the effectiveness of the
monitoring and enforcement capabilities of both SPNAs. As a result, poaching,
cutting of forests, overgrazing by livestock is commonplace.
Source: Department of Forest Ecosystems and SPNA.
156. The outputs and activities of this component will focus around four areas of support: Output 1.1:
Expanded operational SPNA network in the Western Tian Shan Region through the support to operationalize
the two new State Nature Parks of Alatai and Kan-Achuu; Output 1.2: Upgraded status of HCVF, and
sustainable forest management involving local communities; Output 1.3: Enhanced management and
conservation capacities of Western Tian Shan PAs in Jalal-Abad Province, and strengthened HCVF
management; Output 1.4 Strengthened participatory patrolling, enforcement and surveillance systems of new
and existing PAs through the Local PA Management Board and joint patrol groups to enforce anti-poaching.
The proposed suite of activities, and broad implementation arrangements, for each of the four outputs are
described in more detail below.
Output 1.1. Expanded operational SPNA network in the Western Tian Shan region through support to
operationalize the two new State Nature Parks of Alatai and Kan-Achuu
157. Work under this output will focus on: (i) supporting operationalization of two nature parks Alatai
and Kan-Achuu; (ii) establishing appropriate infrastructure for biodiversity conservation and monitoring in
new PAs and developing corresponding capacities; (iii) involving local communities to biodiversity
conservation.
158. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following:
a) Develop new management plans for Alatai (56,826 ha) and Kan-Achuu (30,497 ha) SNPs, taking
into account METT, updated biodiversity inventory data, and development of a zoning approach
b) Develop appropriate SNP management tools (maps with zoning, forms of data collection and
reporting, database management systems, methodology for a chronicle of nature, informational
system - E-PMC)
c) Support development of infrastructure and equipment procurement for Alatai and Kan-Achuu SNPs
(including a transportation vehicle for each) (specifications, cost estimates and tendering,
organization of procurement, training)
d) Develop a training program and provide training for staff of Alatai and Kan-Achuu SNPs
e) Develop and implement a biodiversity research and monitoring plan in new SNPs
f) Develop and start implementing a strategy for increasing the financial income (business plans) of the
SNPs, including feasibility assessment of re-introduction of argali
g) Develop and implement new SNPs communications strategies (information products on local
biodiversity, awareness raising campaigns, including the publication about poaching and violation of
legislation).
159. The UNDP Project Management Unit (PMU) will - in close consultation with the Department for
Forest Ecosystems and SPNA of SAEPF - coordinate the implementation of this output. The PMU will
contract the services of a team of local experts from the SAEPF, Academy of Sciences, Land Management
Institute “Kyrgyzgiprozem” and NGOs to provide the requisite professional, technical and scientific support
to activities under this output. The PMU will contract a company or institution to survey the cadastral
boundaries of the Alatai and Kan-Achuu SPNA, physically locate and demarcate the boundaries of the target
SPNAs and prepare needed documentation for the state land cadaster and land use register. The PMU will
also contract two UN Volunteers to monitor and coordinate project support in the target PAs. Additionally,
the PMU will procure the materials required, to put in place internal infrastructure in PAs, i.e. cordons,
vehicles, office, office equipment, radio stations, optics, collars, camera traps, GPS, etc. Local building
contractors may be contracted to install boom gates and check points and to design, produce and construct
the signboards. The management staff of the Alatai and Kan-Achuu parks will be directly responsible for
supervising all the on-ground works and labor deployed in the park.
Output 1.2. Upgraded status of HCVF, and sustainable forest management involving local communities
160. The work under this output will focus on: (i) integration of the HCVF concept into the national
forestry enabling framework; (ii) identification HCVF in Western Tian Shan; (iii) corresponding
management regimes developed and implemented involving local communities.
161. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following:
47
a) Review forest policy and legislation framework to propose integration of SFM principles and
HCVF concept in existing forest management regulations and policies;
b) Develop recommendations on needed changes and amendments to Kyrgyz legislation related to
HCVF, and the Voluntary Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Certification
c) Implement the model of Joint Forest Management (JFM) and support the work of the JFM Boards
in Toktogul and Toguz-Toro leskhozes (in line with national forest sector reform process)
d) Develop special HCVF regimes for SNPs, involving relevant local communities in the planning
process, and taking into account local development plans of districts and aimaks
e) Pilot SFM certification in the targeted leskhozes
f) Integrate HCVF management principles into the Forest Management Plans of Toktogul (forest
cover of 25,387 ha) and Toguz-Toro (forest cover of 8,995 ha) leskhozes, making proposals to
improve FMP development methodology, taking into account latest HCVF inventory data and
biodiversity data;
g) Undertake inventory and registration of existing nature sanctuaries (zakazniks) in the Western
Tian Shan region
162. The Project Management Unit (PMU) will - in close consultation with the Department for Forest
Ecosystems and SPNA of SAEPF - coordinate the implementation of this output and render support in: (a)
engagement of expertise to develop amendments to national forestry enabling framework on HCVF; b)
engagement of national expertise to promote JFM in the targeted Leskhozes; c) engage relevant expertise to
pilot SFM certification for the targeted Leskhozes and integration of SFM into their Forest Management
Plans and d) engagement of a relevant service provider to conduct inventory of the existing sanctuaries.
Output 1.3. Enhanced management and conservation capacities of Western Tian Shan PAs in Jalal-Abad
Province, and strengthened HCVF management
163. The work under this output will focus on: (i) strengthening capacities (budget management, financial
controls; financial performance management; and financial governance and accountability) of key Western
Tian Shan PAs (Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve, Padysh-Ata State Nature Park, Besh Aral State Nature
Park, and Saimaluu-Tash State Nature Park) and the Protected Area Department of the SAEPF; (ii) training
of foresters in HCVF regime application and environmental inspectors in corresponding law enforcement;
(iii) revision of management and business plans of existing key Protected Areas of Western Tian Shan, and
training of staff; and (iv) developing and implementing the plans of conservation management for the
flagship species.
164. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following:
a) Develop a program and provide training for PA and SAEPF staff in Western Tian Shan to implement
the National Priorities on Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan, National Strategy of Snow
Leopard Conservation, including the topics of conflict management and communities' involvement
b) Develop capacities of four key PAs of the Western Tian Shan on financial planning, budget
management, financial monitoring, controlling and reporting to increase the revenue of PAs (BioFin)
and knowledge management.
c) Develop and pilot the mechanisms of effective cooperation with tour operators based on appropriate
agreements and services in the PAs of the region (link to BioFin) taking into account their social
corporate responsibility
d) Develop capacities of the Department on Forest Ecosystems and SPNA under SAEPF to manage the
data of a unified national information system on Protected Areas (link to UNDP Rio Conventions
project)
e) Develop capacities of key PAs in Western Tian Shan to collect, process and manage field data and to
provide unified data to the national information system on PAs (link to UNDP Rio Conventions
project)
f) Develop the program and provide training on HCVF, management plans and special management
regimes, to amend the current Forest Management Plans of other Western Tian Shan leskhozes.
g) Conduct training for all Western Tian Shan Leskhozes to strengthen law enforcement on HCVF,
involving all the stakeholders.
h) Elaborate and conduct awareness-raising campaigns at the national and local levels about the
importance of SFM and HCVF, certification of SFM and opportunities of JFM
i) Present management plans of the new SNP to relevant interest groups of the target and neighboring
of Toktogul, Toguz-Toro, Aksy, Bakay-Ata districts
48
j) Conduct two provincial workshops to improve key Western Tian Shan PAs management plans based
on METT, application of participatory planning approaches and community inclusion to PAs
management
k) Analyze key Western Tian Shan PAs’ business activities and debate the business planning
improvement on a Kyrgyzstan Western Tian Shan workshop
l) Develop key Western Tian Shan PAs capacities to improve the public relations (information
products, web pages, information in social networks, etc.).
m) Provide training and integrate a separate section on snow leopard and its prey conservation in key
Western Tian Shan PAs management plans, including the buffer-quite zones and corridors, as well
as changes in their pasture management practices.
n) Develop key Western Tian Shan PAs capacities to integrate wild ungulates considerations into the
pasture management plans of adjacent communities
o) Provide training and revise the management plans of hunting service providers in Western Tian Shan
taking into account protected areas and land use in buffer zones and corridors.
165. UNDP PMU will coordinate the implementation of this output in close consultation with the
Department for Forest Ecosystems and SPNA of SAEPF. The PMU will contract the services of training
consultants to develop and implement a package of training modules to enhance capacities of the PAs and
leskhozes of WTS region based on capacity needs assessments.
Output 1.4. Strengthened participatory patrolling, enforcement and surveillance systems of new and existing
PAs through the Local PA Management Board and joint patrol groups to enforce anti-poaching
166. The work under this output will focus on: (i) participatory patrolling, enforcement and surveillance
systems of new and existing PAs strengthened through Local PA Management Board (joint with local
communities) and joint patrol groups to enforce anti-poaching.
167. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following.
a) Organize and support the work of new parks' Public Management Boards with the inclusion of all
local stakeholders to develop and implement their working plans
b) Establish joint patrolling groups, develop their working plans and organize the joint patrol raids
c) Present the best patrol practices, law enforcement, surveillance, publicity of violations and
community involvement on the national workshop
d) Conduct workshops in Western Tian Shan PAs to improve the system of patrolling, law enforcement
and surveillance systems through the establishment of PAs' Public Management Boards, including
all stakeholders, and regularly information sharing with communities
e) Equip Joint Patrol Groups of the pilot PAs: communication, optics, camera traps, expedition
equipment
f) Formalize cooperation of PAs with owners of hunting grounds for joint patrolling, monitoring and
the exchange of data on biodiversity
g) Conduct joint anti-poaching raids in the targeted PAs
h) Incentivize rangers and other field staff to identify poaching and illegal use of natural resources
cases.
168. UNDP PMU will coordinate the implementation of this output in close consultation with the
Department for Forest Ecosystems and SPNA and Department of Rational Use of Natural Resources of
SAEPF. Locally established joint patrolling groups also involving representatives of local law enforcement
bodies, self-governance bodies, state administration, Association of Hunters and Fishermen, as well as
hunting grounds managers will be supported with equipment and field expedition inventory to conduct
random field inspection raids. For this PMU will procure needed materials and provide logistical support.
Component II. Ecosystem resilience and habitat connectivity in Western Tian Shan are enhanced by
regulating land and forest use in buffer zones and corridors, with support for sustainable livelihoods.
169. The work under this component will be spatially focused on the high altitude forests and pastures
located in the Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts. The outputs and activities under this component are
directed at improving the planning and management of the mountain pastures and forest stands located
along, or immediately adjacent to, the new Alatai and Kan-Achuu PAs. All the activities under this
component will seek to improve the ecological integrity and productivity through establishment of buffer
zones and corridors by: Output 2.1: Identified and designated buffer zones for new SPNAs and wildlife
corridors between relevant SPNAs; Output 2.2: Territorial development plans of Toktogul and Toguz-Toro
49
districts and communities aligned with biodiversity conservation, SFM and SLM objectives with needed
modifications; Output 2.3: SLM and restoration of degraded pasturelands in the target districts important
both for livelihoods and wildlife, including snow leopard prey species, through improved pasture
management plans; Output 2.4: Restoration of degraded forests important for wildlife, including snow
leopard prey, and livelihoods of local communities; and Output 2.5: Alternative livelihoods program for
local communities designed jointly with the local micro-crediting institutions, and launched to support target
communities.
170. The estimated wildlife corridors between key PAs in the Western Tian Shan are indicated in Figure 7
below, with the two newly established PAs, Alatai SNP and Kan-Achuu SNP, indicated in orange. Other
previously established PAs are indicated in green outline.
Figure 7 Estimated Wildlife Corridors between PAs and Snow Leopard Range in Western Tian Shan
171. The proposed suite of activities, and broad implementation arrangements, for each of the five outputs
are described in more detail below.
Output 2.1 Identified and designated buffer zones for new SPNAs and wildlife corridors between relevant
SPNAs
172. The work under this output will focus on: (i) identification and designating of the buffer zones for
Alatai and Kan-Achuu, and wildlife corridors between relevant PAs, and land use regimes being drafted and
implemented. The identification and implementation of buffer zones will build on the successful legal model
developed in neighboring Kazakhstan, also as part of UNDP-GEF projects. Local and national stakeholders
have been consulted during the PPG phase on the potential identification and implementation of buffer zones
and corridors. The implementation of SFM approaches in forest management plans will contribute to this, as
50
well as the implementation of SLM practices in pasture management plans in the targeted pasturelands
bordering the PAs.
173. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following.
a) Integrate the concepts "buffer-quiet zones" and "ecological corridors" in the land, forestry, hunting
and biodiversity conservation legislation
b) Identify and agree on at least 50,000 hectares of "buffer-quiet" zones and corridors for Alatai SNP
and Kan-Achuu SNP and other nearby PAs in Western Tian Shan (maps and buffer zones'
management regimes and agreement on borders with Cholpon-Ata A/O and Kyzyl-Ozgorush A/O
(in Toktogul), Kok-Irim A/O and Atai A/O (in Toguz-Toro), leskhozes and hunting grounds owners
and users, State Registration Service).
c) Conduct inventory assessment of the biodiversity of the buffer-quiet zones and corridors in the areas
outside the PAs with the potential of sustainable non-timber forest products use.
d) Conduct hunting grounds inventory and management planning in the targeted districts.
e) Develop and implement special hunting regimes for the buffer-quiet areas and wildlife corridors
outside PAs in cooperation with local hunting ground users and hunters
f) Create and maintain an electronic database of hunters with tracking of violators.
g) Raise awareness of stakeholders about the special land use regimes of the buffer zones and corridors.
h) Conclude agreements with the relevant stakeholders on the buffer zones and corridors regimes
compliance.
i) Support training of the relevant stakeholders and provide equipment to ensure buffer zones and
corridor land use regimes.
j) Carry out joint raids to monitor the compliance of the buffer zones and corridors regimes.
k) Analyze the compliance of the new regimes with hunting licensing practice regarding ungulates to
assure the sufficient population of the snow leopard prey and propose to improve this practice.
174. UNDP PMU will - in close consultation with the Department for Forest Ecosystems and SPNA of
SAEPF - coordinate the implementation of this output. To identify on the grounds the relevant buffer zones
and corridors PMU will engage relevant land use and management expertise as well as provide support o to
organize participatory biodiversity friendly land use regimes development there, corresponding capacities
being developed as appropriate. To communicate the results a series of PR actions will be supported. PMU
will also engaged needed national consultancy to analyze hunting licensing practice for improvement.
Output 2.2. Territorial development plans of Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts and communities aligned
with biodiversity conservation, SFM and SLM objectives
175. The work under this output will focus on: (i) incorporating biodiversity conservation SLM and SFM
objectives into the development plans of Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts and target communities; (ii)
promoting infrastructure and development planning in the areas of the wildlife corridors between protected
areas and key biodiversity areas according to biodiversity conservation objectives of PAs.
176. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following.
a) Analyze the resource management and spatial development plans of the pilot districts, communities
and leskhoz management plans to integrate biodiversity conservation, and SLM and SFM issues.
b) Develop program and train the representatives of the District State Administration, self-governing
authorities, pasture committees, leskhozes, and NGOs in the target areas on SFM, SLM, and
biodiversity conservation issues.
c) Create the working groups for the integration of these issues into development plans.
d) Examine the infrastructure development and mining plans for identifying potential conflicts with
protected areas in the pilot districts. Ensure integration of the mitigation measures in the plans of
infrastructure development.
e) Organize and conduct workshops on sustainable development planning with all the above aspects for
all target project partners.
f) Support the organization of the coordination meetings on the pasture-related projects under the
Pasture Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and Melioration, for the
presentation of the GEF project's results
g) Conduct assessment of economic value of ecosystem services of PAs, forests, and pasturelands in
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro Districts, including feasibility assessment for implementing PES scheme
for regulation of water resources and erosion vis-a-vis hydropower plants
177. UNDP PMU will - in close consultation with the Department for Forest Ecosystems and SPNA of
SAEPF and Department of Pasture under the Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and Melioration -
51
coordinate the implementation of this output, providing relevant expertise and organizational support to
facilitate participatory planning process.
Output 2.3. Degraded rangelands important both for livelihoods and wildlife, including snow leopard prey
species in the target districts, rehabilitated through improved local pasture management plans
178. The work under this output will focus on implementation of SLM practices in 147,268 ha of
pasturelands bordering PAs, including rehabilitation of degraded rangelands (65,361 ha) in Toktogul and
Toguz-Toro districts through improved local pasture management and grazing plans based on geo-botanic
studies, economic and ecosystem service assessment. Pasture management plans will be designed and
implemented jointly with the local communities using GIS technologies, and mapping of the feeding grounds
and migrating routes (and timing) of snow leopard prey.
179. A map of the specific project target area for this activity in Toktogul district is shown as Figure 8
below. The same map for the project interventions in Toguz-Toro district is shown as Figure 9.
Figure 8 Pasturelands of Target Communities in Toktogul District
53
180. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following:
a) Finalize in collaboration with target communities (Cholpon-Ata and Kyzl-Ozgorush in Toktogul, and
Kok-Irim and Atai in Toguz-Toro) the field areas of eroded pastures to be restored near the new
Alatai SNP and Kan-Achuu SNP.
b) Study the condition of pastures, conduct the assessment of carrying capacity and create new maps to
support improved grazing plans.
c) Conduct the research on the interrelation between grazing and biodiversity and the impact factors of
various grazing regimes on biodiversity.
d) Train pilot pasture committees for the implementation of modern pasture management tools.
e) Support the development / improvement of pasture management plans in Pasture Management
Committees (in coordination with IFAD-ARIS pastures project).
f) Implement in Pasture Management Committees modern information system - Electronic Zhayyt
Committee (Electronic Pasture Committee).
g) Conduct the demonstration of degraded pastures rehabilitation measures
h) Conduct a study on the impact of climate change on pasturelands in Western Tian Shan, to be
presented at a national workshop
i) Conduct an inventory of forest pastures and develop management plans for forest pastures and
grazing in the pilot leskhozes, and present the results at the national workshop - implementing
outsourcing of leskhoz forest pasture management to PMCs using pastures (replication of approach
piloted by GIZ)
181. UNDP PMU will - in close consultation with the Department for Forest Ecosystems and SPNA of
SAEPF and Department of Pastures under the Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and Melioration -
coordinate the implementation of this output.
Output 2.4: Restoration of degraded forests important for wildlife, including snow leopard prey, and
livelihoods of local communities
182. The work under this output will focus on restoration of 4,886 hectares of degraded forests important
for wildlife, including the snow leopard prey.
183. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following.
a) Carry out geo-botanic and economic analysis and analysis of ecosystem services and opportunities of
reforestation in the Western Tian Shan.
b) Finalize the decision in collaboration with communities the 4,886 hectares of degraded forests in the
buffer zones and corridors of the protected areas and areas for silviculture and support the natural
regeneration of the HCVF
c) Organize and conduct silvicultural reforestation work in the area of 500 hectares
d) Support the work of the target partners on natural regeneration of the area of 4000 - 4500 hectares,
including sustainable financing fencing approach (piloted by GIZ)
184. UNDP PMU will - in close consultation with the Department for Forest Ecosystems and SPNA of
SAEPF - coordinate the implementation of this output.
Output 2.5. Alternative livelihoods program for local communities designed jointly with the local micro-
crediting institutions, and launched to support target communities.
185. The work under this output will focus on designing and launching the alternative livelihoods
program for local communities jointly with the local micro-crediting institutions to support biodiversity
friendly livelihoods (e.g. native tree nurseries, fruit and nut tree planting, small-scale reforestation, support to
natural pasture regeneration, organic farming, medicinal plant processing, value-added secondary processing
for agricultural products, and development of community-based ecotourism). The strategy of this approach is
not necessarily to increase income from alternative sources, but to demonstrate, pilot and implement
livelihood practices that are biodiversity friendly and support SFM/SLM approaches.
186. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following.
a) Conduct consultations and identify mechanisms of the Micro-Grant Support Program
b) Create local micro-grant committees, develop and approve the rules of operation, selection criteria,
application forms, rules for reporting, rules of monitoring and control (or enter into contracts with
the local financial institution(s) to implement micro-grant activities);
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c) Conduct an information campaign in the field about the possibility of supporting sustainable
livelihoods (creation of nurseries, gardens, plantations of fast-growing, organic farming, restoration
of pasture - reseeding, medicinal plants, ecotourism, micro greenhouses, apiary, etc.)
d) Provide micro-grants – years 2, 3, 4
e) Conduct the systematic controlling and monitoring of projects
f) Make an assessment and publish best practices
187. UNDP PMU will - in close consultation with the Department for Forest Ecosystems and SPNA of
SAEPF - coordinate the implementation of this output. Local micro financing institutions (experts) will be
engaged to support target communities with operationalization of the Micro Grant Facilities on the local
levels in the targeted districts. Relevant expertise will be engaged to develop local capacities and to
communicate the existing opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in communes.
Component III. Strengthening national capacities for snow leopard conservation, promoting Kyrgyz
regional and global cooperation, and setting the scene for up-scaling
188. The outputs and activities under this component are directed at improving the ability of Kyrgyzstan
to conserve snow leopards and associated key species through implementation of the NSSLC, and to
strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s ability to engage in regional and global coordinated snow leopard conservation
efforts. The activities under this component include: Output 3.1: Law enforcement capacities of relevant
stakeholders enhanced through trainings on wildlife protection aimed at identification and prosecution of
wildlife crime; Output 3.2: Capacities for deployment of international standards for long-term monitoring of
parameters critical for snow leopard conservation in national priority landscapes developed, based on
international GSLEP monitoring framework; Output 3.3: Kyrgyzstan participation in the Global Snow
Leopard and Ecosystem Conservation Programs supported, aimed at synergies and coordination of national,
transboundary and regional level activities; and Output 3.4 Implementation of Kyrgyzstan's national snow
leopard and ecosystem protection plan supported in nationally identified priority landscapes, in alignment
and coordination with GSLEP and other relevant initiatives.
189. The proposed suite of activities, and broad implementation arrangements, for each of the four
outputs are described in more detail below. The UNDP PMU will coordinate the implementation of this
component in close consultation with the Department for Forest Ecosystems and SPNA of SAEPF, and SLT
and other relevant national partners.
Output 3.1. Law enforcement capacities of relevant stakeholders enhanced through trainings on wildlife
protection aimed at identification and prosecution of wildlife crime
190. The work under this output will focus on enhancing of enforcement capacities of environmental
inspectors, police, border guards and customs officers through trainings on wildlife protection aimed at
identification and prosecution of wildlife crime.
191. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following.
a) Develop and implement advanced wildlife related law enforcement training to strengthen national
capacities for identification and prosecution of wildlife crime and controlling trade in snow leopard
and other illegal wildlife goods, based on review of existing initiatives and remaining capacity gaps
(building on previous preliminary partner efforts)
b) Train identified target groups on wildlife protection and identification and prosecution of wildlife
crime
c) Enhance national wildlife law enforcement capacity from scaling-up initiative on canine-assisted
wildlife crime monitoring (initiative led by Panthera)
d) Support institutionalization of capacity development modules (training modules, etc.) into law
enforcement agency action plans to ensure sustainability
e) Support the fully operational and institutionalized inter-agency cross-sectoral cooperation
mechanism / agreements / MOUs among the relevant agencies for snow leopard-related law
enforcement and joint actions on illegal snow leopard trade. Preparation and modification of the
regulations for the sustainable cooperation between agencies.
f) Support establishment of cross-sectoral coordination mechanism put in place on the provincial and
district levels
g) Assess the needs of field-based technical capacity for wildlife law enforcement. Enhancement of
field law enforcement capacity - potential equipment, etc. to support enforcement
h) Set up the unified reporting system on wildlife crime
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i) Conduct feasibility study for field toolkits for species identification with field-based DNA analysis
j) Conduct feasibility study for possibilities and relevance for micro chipping of trophies.
Output 3.2. Capacities for deployment of international standards for long-term monitoring of parameters
critical for snow leopard conservation in national priority landscapes developed, based on international
GSLEP monitoring framework
192. The work under this output will focus on creating capacities for deployment of international
standards for long-term regular monitoring of parameters (ecological, biological, etc.) critical for snow
leopard conservation in national priority landscapes, based on international GSLEP monitoring framework
193. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following.
a) For national stakeholders responsible for snow leopard monitoring - establishment of monitoring
protocols, provision of field kits, camera traps, other monitoring tools and approaches, etc. – for
monitoring activities in national priority snow leopard landscapes. Develop capacities and equip
research institutions to provide adequate snow leopard monitoring support - focused on Western
Tian Shan PAs and Gissar-Alai priority landscape.
b) Provide training for protected area staff (strategically selected, among sites other than Alatai and
Kan-Achuu PAs) on snow leopard and prey monitoring - focused on key Western Tian Shan PAs
and Gissar-Alai priority landscape.
c) Develop snow leopard monitoring database and adequate database management capacities
d) Provide training for hunting department, and National Academy of Sciences on snow leopard and
prey international standards of monitoring - focused on Western Tian Shan PAs and Gissar-Alai
priority landscape
e) Develop and sign special MOUs on monitoring between protected areas, National Academy of
Sciences, and hunting department, relating to snow leopard and prey species, with collaboration with
relevant international partner organizations
f) Conduct joint expeditions for monitoring and training with hunting department, protected areas, and
National Academy of Sciences staff - reporting of results to national databases, etc. - publishing of
results - focused on Western Tian Shan PAs and Gissar-Alai priority landscape.
g) Sign an international MOU with a genetic laboratory that has experience and technical capacity to
identify snow leopard samples from scats, hair follicles and blood, located in one of the snow
leopard range countries, to have compatible and high quality results of analysis for basic (species-
level) genetic monitoring of populations and wildlife crime.
Output 3.3 Kyrgyzstan participation in the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programs
supported, aimed at synergies and coordination of national, transboundary and regional level activities
194. The work under this output will focus on providing targeted support to participation of Kyrgyzstan in
the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Conservation Programs aimed at synergies and coordination of
national, transboundary and regional level activities.
195. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following.
a) Support for Kyrgyzstan’s participation in international snow leopard events: SAEPF, academia and
PA field staff. International best practice sharing for replication and up-scaling. Support for travel to
conferences, etc.
b) Conduct one regional conference (with three countries) on challenges for conservation of snow
leopards and biodiversity in Western Tian Shan - Organization of a regional conference between
Western Tian Shan countries for cross-border cooperation on sharing data for snow leopard
monitoring in Western Tian Shan – resolution between countries. Discussion of threats to
biodiversity related to border control activities and presence.
c) Support for participation in 2nd Global Snow Leopard summit
d) Develop information material on conservation issues of snow leopard and biodiversity in Kyrgyzstan
and distribute in the countries of Central Asia – as necessary and relevant to support Kyrgyzstan
contributions to global snow leopard conservation efforts.
Output 3.4. Implementation of Kyrgyzstan's NSSLC supported in nationally identified priority landscapes
provided, in alignment and coordination with GSLEP and other relevant initiatives.
196. The work under this output will focus on supporting implementation of Kyrgyzstan's national snow
leopard and ecosystem protection plan in nationally identified priority landscapes, in alignment and
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coordination with Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) and other relevant
initiatives
197. The specific activities to be undertaken in this output will include the following.
a) Support dissemination of GSLEP best practices in Western Tian Shan and Gissar-Alai regions
b) Contribute to national Kyrgyzstan SSLC awareness raising and knowledge management activities -
national education and awareness campaigns as appropriate, etc.
c) Convert accumulated snow leopard monitoring and research data into addendums to education
programs for universities and secondary schools
d) Updated mapping of snow leopard range and other factors at national level, based on a digital map of
snow leopard habitat in Kyrgyzstan, with annotated recommendations for land use regimes in key
areas of importance for snow leopard
e) Work on hunting policies of prey at national level – linked with previous activities in Component 2
about influencing hunting lease policies, policies on hunting of Red List species, etc.
f) Support implementation of recommendations from Kyrgyzstan NSSLC in Western Tian Shan and
Gissar-Alai that are not otherwise covered by project activities under Components 1 and 2.
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Risk Assessment and Management
198. Project risks and risk mitigation measures are described below in Table 13.
Table 13 Risk Management
Identified Risks
and Category Impact Likelihood
Risk
Assessment Mitigation Measures
State and municipal
institutions responsible
for the administration
of protected areas,
pastures and forests do
not have adequate
capacity to support,
maintain and enforce
working agreements
with communities,
pasture users’ groups,
forest users’ groups
living adjacent to
SPNAs
High Moderately
likely
High The project will seek to significantly
strengthen and expand the current
capabilities of the key institutions,50 that are
directly responsible for the planning and
management of protected areas, natural
habitats, pastures and forests across the
snow leopard range in the Western Tian
Shan region of Kyrgyzstan. More
specifically, it will assist in development of
a well-trained and properly equipped
management, monitoring, enforcement,
community liaison and pastoral and forest
groups staff in the targeted SPNAs,
leskhozes, local state administrations and
self-governance bodies of the communities.
UNDP PMU will iteratively develop an
institutional sustainability plan to ensure
that the different project investments in
building the capacity of the targeted
institutions are maintained (and scaled-up, if
feasible and affordable) beyond the project.
The project will also support the
implementation of SPNA ‘business
planning” on income-generating
opportunities (e.g. income from tourist fees,
pasture tax, forest use and leasing fees,
income from fines, etc.) to further augment
the current budgets of the responsible
institutions.
Low levels of
compliance with
environmental
legislation, and a
reluctance to adopt
more sustainable
natural resource use
practices, leads to the
further degradation of,
and loss of
productivity in, snow
leopard and prey
habitats.
High Moderately
likely
Medium The project has adopted the following
approaches to addressing this risk.
The project will seek for compliance with
environment enabling frames to expand the
area of biodiversity and snow leopard and
prey protection, as well as to improve the
monitoring and enforcement capabilities
across the snow leopard range in the
Western Tian Shan. The project will
specifically: support operationalization of
two targeted PA; upgrading HCVF and
SFM (Output 1.1., and 1.2 enabling
framework); enhance PA staff capacities on
PA and HCVF effective management
(Output 1.3.); and implementation of a joint
patrol system in (Output 1.4); as well as
strengthen wildlife monitoring and
enforcement capacities (knowledge,
training, skills, equipment and staff) in the
responsible state agencies (Output 3.2);
50 State Agency on Environment Protection and Forestry and its branches on the national and local levels, Department
of Pasture under the Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and Melioration, Ministry of Internal Affairs, State
Customs Service, Public Persecutor Office, Border Guard Service, judges, local State administrations of the Jalal-Abad
Province and moreover of the Toktogul and Toguz –Toro Districts, Local Self-Governance Bodies, etc.
58
Identified Risks
and Category Impact Likelihood
Risk
Assessment Mitigation Measures
build the capacity of border and customs
officials to improve the detection of illegal
wildlife trade (Output 3.1); and facilitate the
establishment of a coordination mechanism
of different state institutions in combatting
wildlife crime (Output 3.1-3.2). To address
reluctance, the project will seek to
incentivize an incremental shift to more
sustainable land use (focused on grazing
and forest use) practices. The project will
specifically: align target districts’ and
communities’ development plans with
biodiversity conservation, SLM and SFM
provisions (Output 2.2.); facilitate the
economic beneficiation of communities
living around target parks in return for a
reduction in illegal activities by
rehabilitating degraded pastures and
restoration of degraded forests promoting
participatory SLM and SFM provisions
(Output 2.3 and 2.4); and conduct an
ecosystem services valuation of target PAs
(Output 1.1); as well as provide small grants
to assist rural communities and local
governments to shift to environmentally
sustainable livelihoods (Output 2.5).
Additionally, to address the risk, the project
will seek to improve the awareness of rural
communities living in the snow leopard
range on the importance of conserving snow
leopard, their prey and their habitats. The
project will specifically: support new PAs to
develop and implement communication
strategy (Output 1.1); strengthen the
knowledge and awareness of sustainable
pasture management in the Pasture
Management Committees (Output 2.3);
strengthen the knowledge and awareness of
sustainable forest management in JFM
Boards of the targeted leskhozes (Output
1.2);
Low levels of
coordination and
cooperation between
public institutions,
tenure holders, rights
holders, land owners,
NGOs/CBOs and
natural resources users
leads to conflicts over
any changes in use
rights in SPNAs and
high altitude pastures
and forests
Moderate Moderately
likely
Medium The project is building on the lessons learnt
from the previous UNDP experience on
cooperation with communities and local and
regional authorities in the implementation
of project interventions on democratic
governance, poverty reduction, disaster
risks reduction and environment. It suggests
that a high level of engagement and local
ownership among local stakeholders will be
maintained in this project, with careful
attention given to stakeholder consultation,
participation and conflict resolution. The
project will work closely with the
administration of the targeted SPNAs,
leskhozes, local state administrations, local
self-governance bodies, Pasture
Management Committees, JFM Boards and
other CBOs in ensuring the effective
involvement of all affected stakeholders in
the implementation of project activities. The
59
Identified Risks
and Category Impact Likelihood
Risk
Assessment Mitigation Measures
project will specifically work through (and
assist in establishing) the coordinating
structures of Park Public Councils, Pasture
Committees and JFM Boards as an
institutional mechanism to improve the
communication, collaboration and
cooperation between tenure holders, rights
holders, natural resource users and the
relevant state, regional and local
administrations. The project will also
strengthen the knowledge and skills of
protected area staff, pasture and forest users
and managers in order to facilitate a more
collaborative approach in the planning,
implementation and enforcement of
sustainable forest and pasture management
practices. A stakeholder participation plan
will be prepared as the project is further
developed.
The increasing
aridization of
mountainous habitats,
as a result of the
adverse effects of
climate change, leads
to more intensive and
extensive grazing
pressures on pastures,
and potentially leading
to forest vertical
boundaries shift and
species change as well
as the local extirpation
of snow leopard and
medium-sized prey.
Moderate Unlikely Low The effects of climate change are likely to
exacerbate the effects of the existing threats
to snow leopard, their prey and their
habitats. They are however not likely (under
current climate change scenarios) to result
in the emergence of new, potentially
catastrophic threats. The project has thus
been developed to improve the capacity of
the country to proactively and more
effectively address the current threats in
anticipation of a future increase in the extent
and intensity of the threats as a result of
changing climate.
Snow leopards and their prey have large
home ranges and should – assuming safe
access to available habitats - be able to
move in response to the projected effects
and impacts of climate-change. The project
has thus adopted a landscape-scale
approach, with a strong emphasis on
maintaining viable and secure movement
corridors between formal protected areas.
However, the project will contribute to
implementation of the sectoral adaptation
program adopted by SAEPF according to
the Governmental Climate Change
Adaptation Priorities. A study on the impact
of climate change on the key species of the
Western Tian Shan biodiversity will be
conducted (Output 1.3) with the
involvement of PAs, leskhozes, scientists,
researchers in more rigorously monitoring
the effects of climate change, especially on
snow leopard and prey and collaborating in
regional initiatives to develop strategies to
mitigate and manage these effects.
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Cost-Effectiveness
199. The project’s cost-effectiveness has been carefully planned and assured through detailed discussions
with the key national partners. The overarching principle for cost-effectiveness of the project is the
coordinated landscape management approach to secure biodiversity and land degradation benefits, including
sustainable forest management. By engaging all key stakeholdersq in land use at the local level the project
will ensure that benefits can be generated and sustained across the landscape in the most cost-effective
manner possible. Kyrgyzstan’s protected areas (including the newly established Alatai and Kan-Achuu that
are supported through this project), with few exceptions, are not large enough adequately conserve most
species and ecosystems on their own; it is necessary to take a full landscape-scale approach to biodiversity
conservation and sustainable land use, be engaging forest management and pasture management stakeholders
as well. Through this coordinated multi-stakeholder approach, the project will ensure that the results
achieved for biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use will be sustained, securing the cost-
effectiveness of the project’s strategy.
200. In addition, via the project’s third component, the project will integrate with the national and global
efforts for snow leopard conservation, which is great national priority for Kyrgyzstan, with direct support
from the President. The project will support the implementation of Kyrgyzstan’s NSSLC, which links
directly with the collective efforts of the snow leopard range states to coordinate an efficient international
and trasnboundary effort to conserve snow leopards, their habitats, prey, and associated landscapes. The
project directly addresses critical capacity limitations of key national institutions, including SAEPF, and the
National Academy of Sciences. These efforts will directly contribute to more cost-effective efforts for snow
leopard conservation in the future.
201. The role of SAEPF as the main national executing partner is critical to the project’s cost-
effectiveness. SAEPF is the national institution with the mandate covering key aspects of the project, and
therefore is critically situated to coordinate the activities of the project with other relevant partner and donor
initiatives and projects, to ensure complementarity, and avoid any duplication of efforts. The project is
building on and coordinating with key relevant initiatives in the country. These include: partner efforts to
strengthen wildlife crime law enforcement, forest sector reform (including capacity development for SFM,
and proper functioning of Joint Forest Management committees), reform for full national implementation of
the 2009 Law on Pastures (e.g. capacity development of Pasture Management Committees), the national
biodiversity conservation strategy and action plan, and the coordinated national efforts on snow leopard
conservation.
202. In addition, the project will be building on, replicating, and scaling up some approaches that have
already been tested and validated within Kyrgyzstan through other projects and initiatives. These include the
E-Pasture Management System, methods for native fish stock conservation, multi-stakeholder coordinated
sustainable forest pasture management, and support for natural forest regeneration.
203. At the local level, costs incurred in project implementation will focus primarily on those additional
actions required to provide key incremental assistance to the government, forest users, pastoralists, rural
communities and partner institutions in undertaking strategic interventions to: improve the conservation
tenure and conservation security of SPNAs; improve the sustainable management of, and restore degraded,
high altitude pastures; improve and restore the ecological integrity of high altitude forests; and improve the
state of knowledge of snow leopards, their prey and their habitats.
204. Wherever possible the project will draw on national and local expertise and technical skills within
partner national institutions (e.g. SAEPF, National Academy of Sciences, Kyrgyzgyprozem), international
and national NGOs (e.g. WWF, Panthera, NABU, FFI, Association of Forest and Land Users, CAMP
Alatoo, RDF), and local partners (leskhozes, PMCs, district administrations).
205. The project draws on multiple international best practices for biodiversity conservation and
sustainable land use. These include integrated ecosystem management, implementation of internationally
recognized PA management good practices, coordinated technical approach such as geo-referenced
databases available to multiple stakeholders via centralize online systems, the latest in wildlife monitoring
technology and innovation, and international good practices and lessons learned in wildlife management.
Project resources will thus primarily be used to improve current efforts by the state and other partner
institutions to plan and effectively manage SPNAs, pastures, forests and knowledge systems, rather than
incur the high costs of developing completely new tools, mechanisms and approaches.
206. In some specific activities the project will be piloting activities at the local level that are being newly
introduced in Kyrgyzstan nationally. This primarily relates to the HCVF concept, and the project will be
working with the relevant national authorities to scale the HCVF approach to the national level within the
scope of the project, although the project has a more limited sub-national geographic focus. Other
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approaches and concepts have been previously introduced in Kyrgyzstan, but have been implemented at a
very basic level. These include the re-introduction of large mammal species (e.g. deer, argali), and
approaches for Valuation of Ecosystem Services and SFM certification based of FSC principles.
207. Other indicators of cost-effectiveness include the project’s management costs, which are within GEF
requirements at 5.0%, and the project’s confirmed co-financing, which is also in-line with GEF standards, at
a greater than 6:1 co-financing ratio. In addition, UNDP has a well-established track record of effectively
working with national and local partners and stakeholders in Kyrgyzstan, which reduces costly risks during
project implementation.
Country Ownership: Country Eligibility and Country Drivenness
208. The Government of Kyrgyzstan acceded to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD) on the November 4th, 1996. As a party to the CBD, Kyrgyzstan is committed to the implementation of
the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. This project will specifically contribute to meeting Aichi
Target 12 of the CBD Strategic Plan (‘By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been
prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and
sustained’). It will also contribute to meeting the following complementary Aichi targets: Target 3 (positive
incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity); Target 5 (the rate of loss, degradation
and fragmentation of natural habitats is reduced); Target 11 (areas of particular importance for biodiversity
are effectively conserved); and Target 19 (the knowledge of biodiversity is improved and shared).
209. The country’s Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (2013) was prepared
in accordance with Article 26 of the Convention and COP decision X/10 of the Convention. The report
considers the fragmentation of ecosystems, and degradation of species’ habitats, as the most serious threat to
all wild species of flora and fauna of Kyrgyzstan. It specifically emphasizes the need to prevent the further
degradation and loss of natural habitats in the high altitude mountain ecosystems of the country in order to
protected threatened species, including the snow leopard and key prey species (e.g. argali, ibex, marmot).
The country has, in conformance with COP decision X/2 of the Convention, revised its National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP, 2014). The revised NBSAP, covering the period 2014-2024, identifies a
suite of activities that are to be implemented in order to improve the management effectiveness of SPNAs,
restore degraded mountain pastures and forests and enhance the sustainability of pasture and forest
management use in high altitude mountain ecosystems. The project will specifically contribute to the all four
of Kyrgyzstan’s NBSAP Strategic Targets:
1. Strategic Target 1: Integrate biodiversity conservation issue in the activities of state bodies and
public organizations, as the basis of the human being and sustainable economic development of the
Kyrgyz Republic
2. Strategic Target 2: Reduce the impact on biodiversity and promote its sustainable use
3. Strategic Target 3: Improve the protection and monitoring of ecosystems and species diversity
4. Strategic Target 4: Improve the social importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services, increase
the benefits of sustainable ecosystem services and traditional technologies
210. The Government of Kyrgyzstan ratified the United Nations Convention on Combating
Desertification (UNCCD) on September 19, 1997. As a party to the UNCCD, Kyrgyzstan is committed to
the implementation of the Ten-year Strategic plan and Framework to Enhance the Implementation of the
Convention (2008–2018). The project will specifically contribute to the indicators for Strategic Objectives 1,
2 and 3 (enhancing productivity and reducing vulnerability to climate change, climate vulnerability and
drought) of the UNCCD Strategic Plan by: improving and diversifying livelihoods in rural communities
through sustainable land management; improving land productivity and restoring ecosystem goods and
services in mountain ecosystems; and building institutional and individual capacities for sustainable forest
and pasture management. The project is in line with the UNCCD’s National Programming Framework on
Land Management. Mountain landscape degradation through unregulated grazing, poor work to improve the
quality of soil, and unsustainable forest felling are mentioned there as key threats. Integration of ecosystem
values into land use planning, improvement of pasture and forest management is listed among key priorities
in this program, where Kyrgyzstan is seeking international support.
211. The Government of Kyrgyzstan ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) on May 15th, 2000. The country’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC
(2009) highlights the country’s long-term goal to increase forest cover to 6% of the national territory (an
increase of 289,000 ha relative to 2003), which will contribute to expanding the annual carbon sink in forest
reservoirs up to 341 Gg in CO2 equivalent.
62
212. The Government of Kyrgyzstan is a party to The Bishkek Declaration on the Conservation of Snow
Leopards (2012). Within the framework of the ‘Bishkek Declaration’, the Global Snow Leopard &
Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP, 2013) seeks to bring together governments of snow leopard range
countries to collectively recognize the threats to snow leopards, and commit to coordinated national and
international action. The GSLEP’s goal is to identify and secure 20 snow leopard landscapes by the year
2020. The foundation of the process is a set of 12 National Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Priorities
(NSLEP) developed by each range country government. This project will directly support the
implementation of the priority actions contained in the NSLEP for Kyrgyzstan.
213. The National Strategy on Snow Leopard Conservation (NSSLC, 2013) has been developed prior and
is complementary to, the GSLEP. While the GSLEP is organized around a policy-level and government-
focused agenda, the NSLSC is a more technical document targeting researchers, conservationists and wildlife
or protected area managers in the government and public sectors. The project has adopted and fully
integrated the technical approaches and best practices described in the SLSS into the design and development
of project outputs and activities.
Project Consistency with National Priorities / Plans
214. In addition to being in-line with and supportive of the relevant legislation and national programs
indicated in the previous section of this project document on policy context, the project supports one of the
key elements of the 2013-2017 Kyrgyzstan National Sustainable Development Strategy and Action Plan
which stipulates that restoration and conservation of natural resources must become one of the priorities of
the country, as natural resources guarantee the future of next generations. Support of the Sustainable Forest
Management activities under this project contribute to the implementation of yet another Sustainable
Development Goal, which aims at reaching 5.62% forest cover of the country by 2017.
215. The project is an extension of the Recommendations on Preservation of Snow Leopards and Their
High Mountain Ecosystems that were adopted at the international meeting on conservation of snow leopards
held in Bishkek on December 3, 2012. Overall, the project proposal is consistent with the recommendations
of the Global Snow Leopard Survival Strategy and has been a direct response to the request of the
Government of Kyrgyzstan for assistance in the implementation of this Strategy. The entire set of
recommendations has been reflected in the project document, and they all have been adapted to the situation
in Kyrgyzstan. It is obvious that, by implementing these activities it is possible to create conditions for
preservation and increase of snow leopard population in Western Tian Shan. The project is closely linked to
the Action Plan on implementation of the “National Strategy for Snow Leopard Conservation in the Kyrgyz
Republic for 2013-2023”, specifically on the following items under the National Strategy: II) Improving the
institutional base; III) Study of snow leopards, its habitat and the food bases; IV) Training employees of
public bodies and PAs; and V) Environmental education and increasing of awareness among local
population.
216. The project is consistent with the National Forestry Sector Development Concept (2004 – 2025),
which classifies mountainous forests (including wild fruit and relict coniferous forests) as highly valuable
and requires appropriate management, conservation, and rehabilitation. The National Forest Program 2005 -
2015 further stipulates activities with respect to appropriate monitoring and improvement of high value
forests. The National Programme on Walnut-Fruit Plantations till 2025, which is currently implemented in
the southern Kyrgyzstan, envisages wide engagement of local communities forest management units in the
walnut and fruit forest management.
217. The project focuses on the highland areas of the Western Tian Shan, and thus conforms to the
National State of Environment Report (approved by the Government Resolution effective as of 07.08.2012),
which confirms that the high mountains are islands of biological wealth amid relatively poor plains and that
protected areas play a key role in maintaining biodiversity. It is in line with Kyrgyzstan’s National Mid-Term
Development Plan that emphasizes the importance of protected areas, especially in mountain regions.
218. Recently, the Kyrgyz Republic has adopted the NBSAP (entitled Priorities on Biodiversity
Conservation in the Kyrgyz Republic) for 2014-2023. Creation of PAs in snow leopard habitat is one of the
key activities envisioned by the process. Furthermore, the experts who participated in elaboration of this
project document were also involved in NBSAP development. Thus, this GEF project will contribute at the
policy level to formulation of PA policies and standards that would be subsequently shared with the team
working on the NBSAP so that these can be duly incorporated into national legislation.
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Sustainability and Replicability
219. The critical aspect of sustainability for any project is the sustainability of the project’s results, not of
the project itself. Sustainability is dependent on many factors, and is a dynamic state that can never be
guaranteed in perpetuity, as the likelihood of sustainability at any given time can increase or decrease
depending on individual events or changing conditions over time. Experience has shown in UNDP-GEF
projects that sustainability is critically dependent on stakeholder ownership of the process and project results.
This project in the Western Tian Shan has effectively cultivated the ownership of – and been driven by –
stakeholders at the local, district and national levels. Throughout implementation the project will continue to
work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the strong engagement and ownership by stakeholders is carried
on past the life of the project. The GEF has identified four key elements to sustainability, which are
discussed in further detail below.
220. Financial Sustainability: There are a number of key aspects of the project where financial
sustainability of results is a consideration. First is the financial sustainability of the newly established
protected areas. These protected areas were established without significant additional national budget
allocations from the government, and the staff for these protected areas are being drawn from existing
government bodies, including the rest of the protected area system. Some staff are also being shifted from the
relevant leskhozes, whose forest lands were allocated for the PAs. In this way the core function of the PAs
will be sustained through current on-going government budget allocations, in combination of the capacity
strengthening investments to be made by the project. Global practice has shown that few individual PAs are
able to be financially self-sustaining, and it is the financial sustainability of Kyrgyzstan’s entire national PA
system that must be considered and assessed, rather than the specific PAs targeted in this project. The project
is partially addressing this at the level of the individual PAs, and the financial sustainability of the PA system
is also being more broadly addressed through initiatives of other partners and initiatives. At the national
systemic level, the UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BioFin) is kicking off in 2016, and will be
working closely with the national government partners to strengthen the financial sustainability of
Kyrgyzstan’s PA system. At the individual PA level, as part of the project’s PA capacity development
activities the project will work with the newly established Alatai and Kan-Achuu SNPs to develop their long-
term financial planning, and draft business plans to be integrated with the PA management plans that will be
developed. This will include SWOT financial analysis for the PAs, and consideration of opportunities such
as ecotourism, and the feasibility of trophy hunting in surrounding hunting reserves (not within the PAs
themselves). Similar financial management and planning capacity strengthening will also be carried out for
the other targeted Western Tian Shan PAs in Jalal-Abad province. In relation to sustainable forest and
pasture management, the project will strengthen the financial health of the relevant bodies (leskhozes,
PMCs) through the introduction of more cost-effective and accretive management approaches, such as the E-
Pasture Management system, which allows the efficient and transparent collection of revenues from pasture
users. Other financially sustainable approaches will also be piloted, including the financially self-sustaining
forest restoration fencing approach developed by GIZ.
221. Institutional Sustainability will be promoted in the project by strengthening and expanding the
current capabilities of the key institutions that are directly responsible for the planning and management of
protected areas, natural habitats, pastures and forests in Kyrgyzstan’s Western Tian Shan ecosystem. It will
assist in building a professional corps of well-trained, adequately resourced and properly equipped
management, monitoring, enforcement, community liaison and pastoral extension service personnel in
targeted PAs, leskhozes, PMCs, and district administrations. In particular, the project will strengthen the PA
management capacities of the six key alpine PAs in the Western Tian Shan, as well as the planning and
management capacity of the departments relating to PA management within SAEPF. The project will also
work with local development and spatial planners in Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts to ensure
biodiversity conservation, SFM, and SLM practices are mainstreamed into the long-term land-use plans for
the targeted districts. The project will also contribute to national efforts to establish, operationalize, and
develop key national databases relating to ecosystem management, including biodiversity databases (and
including the national snow leopard monitoring database), and pasture management databases. The project
will also build the capacity of state agencies for wildlife monitoring and regulatory enforcement, and
strengthen border and customs controls to address illegal wildlife trade. At the end of the project an exit
strategy will also be developed that will specifically articulate the means by which institutional sustainability
will be assured for key project results.
222. Socio-economic sustainability is already expected to be strong for the project in Toktogul and
Toguz-Toro districts, as the local communities have proactively supported the establishment of the two new
SNPs in this region by contributed and forfeiting land under their own local control. Local community
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representatives have also actively participated in project development, including the district government
heads, and local community heads (e.g. the head of Cholpon-Ata community, the nearest and largest
community to Alatai SNP). During project implementation socio-economic sustainability will be enhanced in
the project by improving the living conditions of rural communities. This will be achieved through
strengthening local capacity to implement sustainable pasture management, and support biodiversity
conservation objectives in areas surrounding PAs. The project will specifically: (i) facilitate the economic
benefits to communities living around targeted SPNAs (from direct employment, contractual work, provision
of services, income from hunting concessions, etc.) which will contribute to a reduction in illegal activities in
the SPNAs; (ii) provide small grants to help rural communities pilot diversified livelihood activities with net
positive economic and environmental benefits; and (iii) provide technical and financial grant support to
pastoralists to support shifting to more sustainable pasture management practices. The project will primarily
work through (and assist in establishing, where these have not yet been constituted) local governance
structures, including local district administrations and local community governance units, PA Management
Boards, Pasture User Associations and Participatory Forest Management committees. Through this
collaborative approach the project will improve the communication, collaboration and cooperation between
tenure holders, rights holders, natural resource users and the relevant state, regional and local
administrations. The project will also support the identification and implementation of viable income-
generating opportunities (e.g. income from hunting fees, income from pasture tax, specialist tourism
services, income from fines, etc.) to further augment the current budgets of the responsible institutions.
223. Environmental sustainability will be enhanced by the strengthening of the ecological network of the
Western Tian Shan, with improved management of the core zone PAs, and sustainable resource management
in buffer zones and identified corridors. The project will result in reduced degradation of forests and
pasturelands, which will also contribute to improved water quality in the region. In addition, the conservation
of biodiversity will be secured as a result of increased enforcement of regulations. This will include
improving the status of snow leopard and prey habitats, and reducing direct threats to snow leopards and
their prey in the Western Tian Shan. The project will also work to increase the environmental awareness and
understanding of local communities.
224. Each project output will include the documentation of lessons learnt from implementation of
activities under the output, and a collation of the tools and templates (and any other materials) developed
during implementation. The Project Coordinator will ensure the collation of all the project experiences and
information. This knowledge database will then be made accessible to different stakeholder groups in order
to support better future decision-making processes in snow leopard conservation and more consistent
adoption of best practice.
225. Replication of good practices developed by the project will be achieved through the direct
replication of selected project elements and practices and methods, as well as the scaling up of experiences.
The following activities have preliminarily been identified as suitable for replication and/or scaling up: (i)
implementation of the Protected Areas Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool to track PA performance
and identify areas for strengthening; (ii) development of geo-referenced digital online databases for multi-
stakeholder access; (iii) formalizing and implementing co-management agreements for PAs and forests; (iv)
implementation of sustainable pasture management via the e-Pasture Management System; (v) development
of coordinated wildlife law enforcement mechanisms; and (vi) new snow leopard and prey population
monitoring technologies (e.g. aerial drones, fecal DNA analysis and radio collars). The sharing of best
practices and lessons learned in project implementation with other member countries of the GSLEP will be
facilitated through regional GSLEP meetings and regular communications through the GSLEP Secretariat.
Coordination with Other Related Initiatives
226. Implementation of the proposed project will be fully coordinated with a number of on-going relevant
GEF-financed initiatives, in order to avoid duplication and increase synergies and effectiveness. At regional
level, strong coordination will be sought with the regional (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan) UNDP-GEF medium-sized project “Transboundary Cooperation for Snow Leopard and
Ecosystem Conservation.” The implementation phase of the regional project (2015-2018) will overlap with
the implementation phase of this project (2017-2021). This project will, thus, seek to adopt and
operationalize, at the national level, the relevant tools and guidelines that will be developed under the
regional project particularly concerning snow leopard monitoring techniques and law enforcement bodies
training on wildlife crime. The implementation of this project will, in particular, benefit significantly from
the effective coordination of efforts, and sharing of knowledge between the projects using existing on-line
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platforms created under initiatives such as NBSAP Forum and BES-Net led by UNDP. The coordination will
be established with SLT implementing the regional project
227. There are two new GEF financed biodiversity conservation projects in snow leopard landscapes and
ecosystems, implemented by UNDP in Central Asia: in Tajikistan UNDP/GEF Project “Conservation and
sustainable use of Pamir-Alay and Tian Shan ecosystems for Snow Leopard protection and sustainable
community livelihoods” and Uzbekistan UNDP/GEF Project “Sustainable natural resource and forest
management in key biodiversity areas important for Snow Leopard”. The proposed project will work closely
with each of these projects seeking opportunities to establish synergies and experience sharing between
them. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan submitted an application for inclusion of the mountains of the
Western Tian Shan to the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the nomination was approved July 17, 2016. In
this regards, this snow leopard-related project would contribute to the promotion of transboundary
cooperation in Western Tian Shan.
228. On the national level the project will use the lessons from implemented UNDP/GEF Project
“Improving the coverage and management effectiveness of PAs in the Central Tian Shan Mountains” in
improving organization of work of joint anti-poaching group to protect snow leopard and other endangered
species in Sarychat-Ertash national snow leopard priority landscape, and capacity building for PA staff
protecting snow leopard habitat in the Tian Shan Ridge.
229. In order to strengthen an Environmental Information Monitoring and Management System and
policy frameworks for implementation of CBD, including protection of snow leopard, the proposed project
will collaborate with UNDP/GEF project “Strengthening of institutional and legal capacities to enable
improvement of the national monitoring system and management of environmental information”. An
Environmental Information Monitoring and Management System will be the basis for adoption of a standard
Snow Leopard Ecosystem Monitoring System. This project will contribute the system with the monitoring
data compiled from the research and biodiversity inventory, as well as further monitoring updates from the
newly established Alatai and Kan-Achuu PAs and targeted communities, thus contributing for the regular
country reporting to three Rio Conventions.
230. The UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BioFin) will conceptually contribute to the long-term
financial sustainability of this GEF project targeted PAs, through the support to drafting PA business plans
complementary to PA management plans, as well as to valuation of ecosystem services in targeted PAs.
231. The Coordination and Consultative Council on piloting of institutional reform in the forest sector led
by SAEPF brings together the donors and national and international stakeholders implementing the forest
related projects. The key actors there are the World Bank, FAO and GIZ, which together with, SAEPF has
initiated the piloting the sector reform in six leskhozes. During the course of reform, the pilot leskhozes will
test different approaches to sustainable forest management involving local communities. These approaches
will form the basis of a new forestry sector reform concept. The GEF-UNDP project will join the
Coordination and Consultative Council in order to identify and develop opportunities for collaboration with
other relevant development agencies. The plans and experiences on promotion of HCVF, Joint Forest
Management and restoration of degraded forests and pastures will be duly shared and coordinated on this
dialogue platform.
232. The World Bank $16 million USD project “Integrated Forest Ecosystems Management” is starting
up in Kyrgyzstan in the 2nd half of 2016. The project aims to support (i) Forest Sector Institutional Reform,
(ii) Strategic Investments and Piloting of Sustainable Management Approaches in 12 pilot leskhozes and (iii)
the National Forest Inventory and Forest Management Informational System operationalization. The UNDP
GEF supported project will seek to collaborate with this project on promotion of participatory forest
management approaches, rehabilitation of degraded forests, as well as in elaboration of sectoral enabling
framework on HCVF.
233. The project team will communicate and coordinate activities within Components 1 and 2 with the
GIZ project “Biodiversity Conservation and Poverty Reduction through Community-based Management of
Walnut Forests and Pastures in Southern Kyrgyzstan”, which is financed out of the German Energy and
Climate Fund and implemented by GIZ/UNIQUE Forest and Landuse GmbH in Jalal-Abad province,
supporting the conservation of biodiversity in walnut-fruit forests in five leskhozes, two of which are
considered as contributing to the national process of piloting in forest reform.
234. The GEF funded FAO implemented project “Sustainable Management of Mountainous Forest and
Land Resources under the Climate Change conditions” has accumulated considerable experiences on forest
rehabilitation as well as land degradation improvement, also in terms of climate change mitigation research
in forestry sector. The new GEF-UNDP project will build on the FAO experiences with degraded forests
restoration and national forest policy improvement.
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235. On pasture management the project team will cooperate with the IFAD-funded project “Livestock
and markets development” under the Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and Melioration
implemented by Agency for Rural Investments Support (ARIS) to improve local pasture management plans
and practices. A particular focus of this alignment of efforts will be on harmonizing the financial and
technical support provided to rural communities in implementing more sustainable pasture management
practices in high altitude grasslands.
236. The project will also seek to develop collaborative agreements with key international NGO partners
(SLT, Panthera, NABU, SLF, WWF) and national and international research institutions to support the
implementation of selected project activities (e.g. snow leopard and prey surveys and monitoring, specialized
training, public awareness-raising, forest and grassland restoration planning, smart patrol system
development, etc.). The project will, within the framework of these collaborative agreement/s, then assist in
reimbursing the costs of NGOs and academic institutions in the direct implementation of activities that fall
directly within the ambit of the project outputs.
237. The project will specifically seek to build on the substantial foundational work already undertaken
by Panthera and other partners in setting up community-based conservancies in the country. The Panthera
project in Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan "Study of snow leopard spatial ecology and monitoring of snow
leopard populations and its prey species" for 2015-2018 supports training of local communities in snow
leopard monitoring and a snow leopard telemetry study.
238. While implementing this project UNDP will continue collaboration with UN Volunteers engage into
various community mobilization projects. Two UN Volunteers will be engaged to mobilize targeted
communities in Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts.
Gender Considerations
239. In 2015, the total population of Kyrgyz Republic of 5,895,000 persons included 2,978,000 women
and 2,917,000 men. The population gender distribution across the country differs. In urban areas the share of
women is higher than men and makes up 52.6 %, and in rural areas, where the birth rate is higher, the ratio of
men is a majority at 50.6%.51
240. In the 2014 edition of the Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI), Kyrgyzstan reportedly has
medium levels of discrimination against women in social institutions (SIGI score of 0.1598). It has low
category of discrimination in family code, medium - in restricted civil liberties and physical integrity and
high – in son bias and access to resources and assets. In 2014, the, the ratio of female to male primary
education enrolment was 96%. The ratio of female to male secondary school enrolment was 97%. The share
of women, who graduated higher educational institutions in 2015, was 54.7%. In the same year, women
constituted 40.8% of the total employed population of Kyrgyzstan.
241. In general, statutory law provides a foundation for equal rights and protections for women and men
and for women’s rights to land and property. However, traditional strict stereotypes of men and women’s
roles in society and in household remain. It is believed that men should play the role of breadwinner and
household leader, while women should confine themselves to domestic and children care work within the
home. The Kyrgyz Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. It provides that everyone is
equal before the law and that men and women are accorded equal opportunities and freedoms. The
constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic incorporates into its legal system international treaties that the Kyrgyz
Republic is party to.52 In 1997, Kyrgyzstan has ratified Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW),53 which puts an affirmative obligation on State Parties to take appropriate measures to
eliminate discrimination against women and ensure, among other things, the same rights for both spouses in
respect of the ownership, acquisition, management, administration, enjoyment and disposition of property
(CEDAW).
242. The Kyrgyz National Strategy for Gender Equality by 2020 and National Action Plan for Achieving
Gender Equality for 2012-2014 were adopted in June 2012. The law “On the Basics of the State Guarantees
for Ensuring Gender Equality”54 prohibits explicit and implicit gender discrimination and does not support
norms of common law, tradition and culture that discriminate against gender. It guarantees equal rights to
ownership of property, provides for equal use rights to land, where rights are granted in this way, and
provides equal protection of rights to land for men and women.
51 http://www.stat.kg/media/publicationarchive/534f0c98-fb76-4922-b8c1-6b8b8f44ba27.pdf 52 Put into force by the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic as on June 27, 2010. 53 Adopted by the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic as on 10 Feb 1997 54 Adopted on March 12,2003, № 60
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243. The Family Code of the Kyrgyz Republic governs family relations. It provides that the family is the
basic social unit in Kyrgyzstan, only registered marriages are recognized, and family relations are regulated
in accordance with principles of equality of the spouses’. Under the Family Code, a marriage can end in two
ways, (a) by the death of one spouse, or (b) by petition for termination (divorce) of one spouse; in each case
the end of the marriage must be registered. 55
244. The Family Code also provides that all property acquired by the spouses during their marriage is
considered joint property, and joint property is managed with the consent of both spouses. Any property that
belonged to a spouse before the marriage or gifts or inheritance received by one spouse during the marriage
is considered personal property of the spouse. At divorce, joint property of the spouses is divided equally
among them, unless otherwise stated in a marital agreement. Inheritance. Kyrgyz formal law governing
succession permits both sons and daughters the right to inherit.
245. The Family Code and the inheritance legal provisions apply to private land, and do not apply to
pastures, which are categorized as state land, with their responsibility and management devolved to the
Pasture Users Associations. Instead, women’s and men’s rights to pastures are based on being resident in a
locality and thereby member of a pasture users association. In practice, women’s use of pastures and role in
pastures management are governed by customs.
246. Women in Kyrgyzstan experience rather limited access to economic opportunities. Women’s
independent economic activity has decreased almost two times within the decades since the country’s
independence. Women are highly represented in the informal labor market and in certain service and trade
sectors, which are high risk and lack social guarantees. Women in Kyrgyzstan spend three times more time
on housework than men (18.8 and 6.5 hours, respectively). This number is higher in rural areas where
women perform an additional 2 hours of housework56. In 2012, women headed 27 per cent of households
nationwide.
247. During PPG stage, UNDP employed an inclusive approach for local communities’ consultations (e.g.
focus group discussions with different social groups, including women, to capture their views and
aspirations) and this has contributed to broad community consultations and better sense of inclusion,
including women. Through inclusive community-based institutions for pasture management, small holding
farmers owners will benefit from improved access to pastures, as pasture committees will be assisted in
grouping and organizing herding of animals of small-scale animal owners, including women, by herders who
are issued pasture tickets. While it was reported by IFAD that women's participation in decision-making
bodies for community-based pasture management is rather limited and there may be maximum 2-3 female
members in a pasture committee which normally has the membership of about 15-1857. The UNDP-GEF
project will try to improve women representation in all community-based bodies in the targeted communities
up to 25%.
248. The issue of gender and women's empowerment, including issues such as their participation and role
in community based natural resource management bodies and workload balance will be in focus of UNDP
project gender equality promoting strategy. The inclusive social mobilization approach to enhanced women's
participation in consultation process and access to land, pasture and forest resources of rural communities,
including women, as well as project activities on alternative livelihoods support that directly contributing to
women's economic empowerment will be duly addressed by the project.
249. Under the Land Code, women and men have equal rights to access and manage land with no specific
gender related provisions. Likewise the Civil Code does not elaborate separately on women’s rights to have
access to property other than land and to enter into contracts in their own names. However, property is
routinely registered in the name of husbands or male relatives, as property ownership is seen as a male
prerogative. In addition, most married couples live in property belonging to the husband’s parents, meaning
that the wife often has no legal claim on the property at all. Many women are still unaware of their rights and
the opportunities available to them as a result of the land reform processes that began in the 1990s. Even
when they do know their rights, registering a farm is a complex administrative process. When women are
allocated land in their own right, it is often of poor quality for farming, and they are often denied access to
land belonging to their husbands in the event of divorce or widowhood.58
250. Woman lack education, access to productive resources, and technical training that would enable
them to increase productivity above subsistence levels, and increase wealth. Under the Family Code and the
55 Family Code of the Kyrgyz republic as of August 30, 2003, № 201 56 National Statistics Committee, Women and Men of the Kyrgyz Republic, 2015. 57 IFAD, Kyrgyz Republic Agricultural Investments and Services Project Performance Assessment, 2016. 58 Land Code of the Kyrgyz Republic as of June 1999, № 45 (last amendments as of 28.07.2015)
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Civil Code, within registered marriages, spouses have equal property rights, but this does not apply to
unregistered, religious marriages, leaving many women unable to claim their property rights when the
relationship breaks down. Women and men have the same rights to access bank loans and credit. Many
women apply for loans; however, many of them not fully understand their rights and the procedures
involved. The fact that most property is registered to men rather than women makes it difficult for women to
secure credit, as they cannot provide collateral for loans. High bank charges and rates of interest also hamper
women’s access to credit. However, conducted interviews with local financial institutions findings proved
that women are more responsible in paying back credits and interests.
251. The project activities have been designed to address some of these gender-related issues, as follows:
252. The project will facilitate the employment, training and equipping of woman as targeted PAs staff
(Output 1.1), joint patrol trainers and community rangers (Output 1.4), community mobilizing officers
(Output 1.4), and leskhoz forest enforcement staff (Output 2.3). The project will actively encourage the
equitable use of women labor and supervisors from local rural villages in: identifying and designating
wildlife corridors near the targeted PAs (Output 2.1), the planning and implementation of pasture
management plans and restoration of degraded pastures (Output 2.3); and the planning and restoration of
high conservational value forests (Output 2.4).
253. The project will ensure that women-owned and/or managed businesses participate equitably in the
procurement of project-funded equipment and infrastructure (all outputs). In some instances, the project may
adopt a preferential procurement approach to the provision of minor services and supplies (e.g. supply of
rations for park rangers, accommodation) from local women-led businesses.
254. The project will ensure that the reach of project-funded education/awareness-raising programs, and
skills training in the targeted communes of Cholpon-Ata, Kyzyl-Ozgorush, Kok-Irim and Atai close to Alatai
and Kan-Achuu SNPs will include both male- and female-headed households from the targeted villages (all
outputs).
255. The project will ensure that the interests of women and women-headed households are adequately
represented on SNP Steering Committees (Output 1.4), Pasture Committees (Output 2.3) and JFM Boards
(Output 2.4); and are actively involved in the planning of protected areas, pastures and forests in the project
planning domain. The project will ensure that the reach of project-funded sustainable livelihood development
support in will equitably include both male- and female-headed households from the targeted villages the
targeted communes of Cholpon-Ata, Kyzyl-Ozgorush, Kok-Irim and Atai close to Alatai and Kan-Achuu
SNPs (all outputs). The project will actively assist women-headed households living in the targeted
communes of Cholpon-Ata Kyzyl-Ozgorush, Kok-Irim and Atai close to Alatai and Kan-Achuu SNPs to
access: (i) micro-financing for sustainable livelihoods; and (ii) technical and financial support from project
for more sustainable pasture management practices and agriculture (Output 2.5).
256. The project will commit dedicated financial and technical support to addressing the significant
knowledge constraints in pasture users from women-headed households. The project will ensure that the
National Strategy on Snow Leopard Conservation includes strategies, activities and budgets that will enable
and finance the equitable involvement of women in the implementation of the action plan. The project will
advocate for an increase in the number of women involved in research and monitoring of snow leopard and
prey populations. The project will collaborate with the project-contracted businesses and international
experts to continually develop and implement mechanisms that may further strengthen the capacities of local
women and women-headed households across the project’s planning domain. The project has targeted the
involvement of at least 30% of women participation in all the project activities and events, and direct
benefits for women of at least 30% project micro-financing of sustainable livelihoods program.
PART III. MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
257. This project will be implemented within the context of the UN programming frameworks driven by
the Government, particularly the UN Development Assistance Framework for 2011-2016 (UNDAF) and the
UNDP Country Programme Action Plan for 2011-2016 (CPAP). In turn, these frameworks are congruent
with the Government priorities outlined in the National Strategy of Sustainable Development for 2013-2017
recently approved by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the country’s Programme on Transition to
Sustainable Development for 2013-2017.
258. According to the DIM Authorization for the Kyrgyzstan Country Programme for the period 2012-
2016, granted by Ms. Kori Udovichki, UNDP RBEC Regional Director on January 11th, 2012, the project
will be executed by UNDP. The project organization structure (summarized in Figure 10 below) will consist
of a Project Board, Project Assurance, Project Management and Implementation Units (PMU and PIU) and
at the national level, will be part of UNDP’s National Project Management Unit in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Roles and responsibilities are described below.
259. Project Board: The Project Board (PB) will be responsible for making management decisions for
the project, in particular when guidance is required by the Project Coordinator. It will play a critical role in
project monitoring and evaluations by assuring the quality of these processes and associated products, and
by using evaluations for improving performance, accountability and learning. The PB will ensure that
required resources are committed. It will also arbitrate on any conflicts within the project and negotiate
Figure 10 Coordination and Management Structure
PIU in Toktogul (driver SC4)
Programme Board (PB)
SENIOR BENEFICIARY
SAEPF, State bodies and civil socie-ty representatives
EXECUTIVE
UNDP RR/DRR
Programme Assurance
UNDP Environment/DRM Programme PPA, POSU
National and international experts
SENIOR SUPPLIER
GEF
PMU Manager
Sustainable Development Dimension Chief
Project Coordinator (SC8)
Project Assistant (SC5)
National and international experts
GSLEP Sec
National experts and international
experts
Project: Conservation of globally important biodiversity and associated land and forest resources of West-
ern Tian Shan Mountain ecosystems to support sustainable livelihoods.
Component 2. Ecosystem resili-ence and habitat connectivity in
Western Tian Shan enhanced by regulating land and forest use in buffer zones and corridors and
support to sustainable livelihoods.
SC6 Field Specialist
Component 3. Promoting regional and global cooperation on snow
leopard and ecosystem protection and, setting the scene for up-
scaling
Component 1. Conservation and sustainable management of Key
Biodiversity Areas within landscape
SC6 Field Specialist
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro based 2 NUNVs
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solutions to any problems with external bodies. Based on the approved Annual Work Plan (AWP), the PB
can also consider and approve the quarterly plans and approve any essential deviations from the original
plans. The project will be subject to PB meetings at least twice every year. The first such meeting will be
held within the first six months of the start of full implementation. At the initial stage of project
implementation, the PB may, if deemed advantageous, wish to meet more frequently to build common
understanding and to ensure that the project is initiated properly.
260. To ensure UNDP’s ultimate accountability for project results, PB decisions will be made in
accordance with standards that shall ensure management for development results, best value for money,
fairness, integrity, transparency, and effective international competition. In case consensus cannot be
reached within the PB, the final decision will rest with the UNDP.
261. Members of the PB will consist of key national government and non-government agencies, and
appropriate local level representatives. UNDP will also be represented on the PB, which will have
appropriate representation in terms of gender. Potential members of the PB will be reviewed and
recommended for approval during the Local Project Appraisal Committee (LPAC) meeting. In addition, PB
meetings will be open to observer organizations, which can comment and provide input on project activities,
and potential decisions, although only PB members will have decision-making powers. The PB will contain
three distinct roles:
Executive Role: This individual will represent the project “owners” and will chair the group. It is expected
that SAEPF will appoint a senior official to this role who will ensure full government support of the
project.
Senior Supplier Role: This requires the representation of the interests of the funding parties for specific
cost sharing projects and/or technical expertise to the project. The Senior Supplier’s primary function
within the PB will be to provide guidance regarding the technical feasibility of the project. This role will
rest with UNDP-Kyrgyzstan represented by the Resident Representative.
Senior Beneficiary Role: This role requires representing the interests of those who will ultimately benefit
from the project. The Senior Beneficiary’s primary function within the PB will be to ensure the realization
of project results from the perspective of project beneficiaries. This role will rest with the other
institutions (key national governmental and non-governmental agencies, and appropriate local level
representatives) represented on the PB, who are stakeholders in the project.
262. Project Assurance: The Project Assurance role supports the PB Executive role by carrying out
objective and independent project oversight and monitoring functions. The Project Quality Assurance role
will rest with the Programme and Policy Analyst in charge of Environment/Energy and Disaster Risk
Management of UNDP Kyrgyzstan, and its Programme Oversight and Support Unit (POSU.)
263. National Project Management (PMU) Unit: This project will be part of the National Project
Management Unit of UNDP stationed in capital Bishkek in the Kyrgyz Republic, whose main function is to
provide everyday technical level implementation support to projects of which is it comprised. The project
Coordinator (SC-8) will be based in Bishkek and hosted by the PMU, and will be in charge of the overall
project implementation with a an implementation function of the Component III of the project at the national
level aimed at improving national biodiversity legal framework, promoting regional and global cooperation
on snow leopard and ecosystem protection, and working closely with the GSLEP Secretariat which is based
in Bishkek and other Snow Leopard network partners. The PC will also be directly overseeing
implementation of project components I and II, which will be implemented by the Project Implementation
Unit (PIU) in the Toktogul area of Jalal-Abad province. The Project Coordinator will have the authority to
run the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Implementing Partner within the constraints laid down
by the PB. The Project Coordinator’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the results
specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of
time and cost. The PC will be recruited in accordance with UNDP regulations and will have a direct
reporting line to UNDP Dimension Chief on Sustainable Development and the PMU Manager, with overall
thematic and quality assurance guidance from the UNDP CO Environment/Energy and DRM Programme
and Policy Analyst. The PC will be responsible for overall project coordination and implementation,
consolidation of work plans and project papers, preparation of quarterly progress reports, reporting to the
project supervisory bodies, and supervising the work of the project experts and other project staff. Under
direct supervision of the PC, the Project Assistant will be responsible for administrative and financial issues,
and will get support from the UNDP CO and National PMU Operations units as appropriate. The PMU will
assist SAEPF in performing its role as Responsible Partner. In this role SAEPF will (i) directly responsible
for creating the enabling conditions for implementation of all project activities, (ii) facilitating monitoring
and reporting to ensure the delivery of agreed outcomes and (iii) will also play a coordinating role to
maximize efficiency of UNDP-GEF interventions and avoid possible duplication, in line compliance with
country development priorities, global environment trends and UNDP’s corporate policy.
71
264. Project Implementation Unit (PIU): A PIU will be established in the Toktogul district of Jalal-
Abad province comprising two regular Field Specialists (SC6) and the Project Driver (SC3.) The Project
Driver will provide transportation and other logistical services to the project staff to achieve project’s goals
and objectives. The project will purchase a vehicle for use by the PIU during project implementation, which
will be transferred at project completion to SAEPF for use by the SNPs. The PIU, with the programmatic
support and guidance from the Bishkek based PMU, following UNDP procedures on implementation of
DIM projects, will identify national experts and consultants, and international experts as appropriate to
undertake technical work. The national and international companies may also be involved in project
implementation. These consultants and companies will be hired under standard prevailing UNDP procedures
on implementation of DIM projects. Project field specialists and related staff will spend a large portion of
their time in the field, and will be directly guided by the PC, with thematic guidance from the DC and CO
PPA on Environment, Energy and DRM. National UNV’s (United Nations Volunteers) will be based in both
project localities (Toktogul and Toguz-Toro), and will aid the project with community mobilization, public
information and education activities and other outreach activities.
265. In addition and as mentioned above, the UNDP Country Office and National PMU in capital
Bishkek will provide specific support services for project realization through its Programme Oversight and
Support” and “Operations” Units as required.
266. To mainstream UNDP Kyrgyzstan publicity at the local and national level, the project will provide
information and communication support to all projects and initiatives implemented in Kyrgyzstan through its
support staff, which will include Project Communication/PR Specialist and ICT specialists. When required,
operational and project related support to the project will be carried out by the Project Assistant of the
Environment for Sustainable Development Programme (ESDP), and will benefit from the UNDP PMU
transportation services. The project, based upon the need, will also hire long and short-term local and
international experts. In-depth ToR’s for the project posts will be drafted by UNDP to outline duties and
functions of project personnel in more detail, and hires for both the principal staff and project experts will be
conducted in line with UNDP rules and procedures.
267. UNDP, as International Agency for this project, will provide project management cycle services for
the project as defined by the GEF Council. In addition, it will provide Direct Project Services (DPS),
according to its policies and convenience. DPS costs are those incurred by UNDP for the provision of
services that are execution driven and can be traced in full to the delivery of project inputs. They relate to
operational and administrative support activities carried out by UNDP offices on behalf of the Direct
Implementation Modality (DIM) and include the provision of the following estimated services: i) Payments,
disbursements and other financial transactions; ii) Recruitment of staff, project personnel, and consultants;
iii) Procurement of services and equipment, including disposal; iv) Organization of training activities,
conferences, and workshops, including fellowships; v) Travel authorization, visa requests, ticketing, and
travel arrangements; vi) Shipment, custom clearance, vehicle registration, and accreditation. As is
determined by the GEF Council requirements, these service costs are assigned as Project Management Cost,
identified in the project budget as Direct Project Costs.
72
Part IV. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
Monitoring and Reporting
268. The project will be monitored through the following Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) activities.
Project Start-up
269. A Project Inception Workshop will be held within the first four months of project start with those
with assigned roles in the project organization structure, the UNDP Country Office (CO) and, where
appropriate/feasible, regional technical policy and program advisors as well as other stakeholders. The
Inception Workshop is crucial to building ownership for the project results and to plan the first year annual
work plan.
270. The Inception Workshop should address a number of key issues including:
a) Assist all partners to fully understand and take ownership of the project. Detail the roles, support
services and complementary responsibilities of UNDP CO, SAEPF and the UNDP-GEF Regional
Service Centre (RSC) vis-à-vis the project team. Discuss the roles, functions, and responsibilities
within the project's decision-making structures, including reporting and communication lines, and
conflict resolution mechanisms. The Terms of Reference for project staff will be discussed again, as
needed.
b) Based on the Project Results Framework and the relevant GEF Tracking Tool, if appropriate,
finalize the first Annual Work Plan (AWP). Review and agree on the indicators, targets and their
means of verification, and re-check assumptions and risks.
c) Provide a detailed overview of reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements. The Monitoring
and Evaluation (M&E) work plan and budget should be agreed and scheduled.
d) Discuss financial reporting procedures and obligations, and arrangements for annual audit.
e) Plan and schedule project Steering Committee (SC) meetings. Roles and responsibilities of all
project organization structures should be clarified and meetings planned. The first SC meeting
should be held within the first six months following the inception workshop, if it is not held jointly
with the inception workshop.
271. An Inception Workshop Report is a key reference document and must be prepared within 3 months
of the Inception Workshop, and shared with participants to formalize various agreements and plans decided
during the meeting.
Quarterly
Progress made shall be monitored in the UNDP Enhanced Results Based Management Platform.
Based on the initial risk analysis submitted, the risk log shall be regularly updated in ATLAS. Risks
become critical when the impact and probability are high.
Based on the information recorded in ATLAS, a Project Progress Report (PPR) can be generated in the
Executive Snapshot.
Other ATLAS logs can be used to monitor issues, lessons learned etc. The use of these functions is a key
indicator in the UNDP Executive Balanced Scorecard.
Annually
272. Annual Project Review/Project Implementation Reports (APR/PIR): This key report is prepared to
monitor progress made since project start and in particular for the previous reporting period. The APR/PIR
combines both UNDP and GEF reporting requirements.
273. The APR/PIR includes, but is not limited to, reporting on the following:
Progress made toward project objective and project outcomes - each with indicators, baseline
data and end-of-project targets (cumulative)
Project outputs delivered per project outcome (annual)
Lesson learned/good practice
AWP and other expenditure reports
Risk and adaptive management
ATLAS Quarterly Progress Reports (QPR)
Portfolio level indicators (i.e. GEF focal area tracking tools) are used by most focal areas on an
annual basis as well.
73
Periodic Monitoring through Site Visits
274. UNDP CO and the UNDP-GEF RSC will conduct visits to project sites based on the agreed
schedule in the project's Inception Report/Annual Work Plan to assess first hand project progress. Other
members of the Steering Committee may also join these visits. A Field Visit Report/BTOR will be prepared
by the UNDP CO and UNDP-GEF RSC and will be circulated no less than one month after the visit to the
project team and Steering Committee members.
Mid-term of Project Cycle
275. The project will undergo an independent Mid-Term Review (MTR) at the mid-point of project
implementation. The MTR will determine progress being made toward the achievement of outcomes and
will identify course correction if needed. It will focus on the effectiveness, efficiency and timeliness of
project implementation; will highlight issues requiring decisions and actions; and will present initial lessons
learned about project design, implementation and management. Findings of this review will be incorporated
as recommendations for enhanced implementation during the final half of the project’s term. The
organization, terms of reference and timing of the MTR will be decided after consultation between the
parties to the project document. The Terms of Reference for this MTR will be prepared by the UNDP CO,
based on guidance from the UNDP-GEF RSC. The management response and the evaluation will be
uploaded to UNDP corporate systems, in particular the UNDP Evaluation Resource Center (ERC).
276. The relevant GEF Focal Area Tracking Tools will also be completed during the mid-term review
cycle.
End of Project
277. An independent Terminal Evaluation will take place three months prior to the final Steering
Committee meeting and will be undertaken in accordance with UNDP and GEF guidance. The terminal
evaluation will focus on the delivery of the project’s results as initially planned (and as corrected after the
MTR, if any such correction took place). The terminal evaluation will look at impact and sustainability of
results, including the contribution to capacity development and the achievement of global environmental
benefits/goals. The Terms of Reference for this evaluation will be prepared by the UNDP CO, based on
guidance from the UNDP-GEF RSC.
278. The terminal evaluation should also provide recommendations for follow-up activities and requires a
management response which should be uploaded to PIMS and to the UNDP ERC.
279. The relevant GEF Focal Area Tracking Tools will also be completed during the terminal evaluation.
280. During the last three months, the project team will prepare the Project Terminal Report. This
comprehensive report will summarize the results achieved (objectives, outcomes, outputs), lessons learned,
problems met and areas where results may not have been achieved. It will also lay out recommendations for
any further steps that may need to be taken to ensure sustainability and replicability of the project’s results.
Learning and Knowledge Sharing
281. Results from the project will be disseminated within and beyond the project through existing
information sharing networks and forums.
282. The project will identify and participate - as relevant and appropriate - in scientific, policy-based
and/or any other networks, which may be of benefit to project implementation though lessons learned. The
project will identify, analyze, and share lessons learned that might be beneficial in the design and
implementation of similar future projects.
283. Finally, there will be a two-way flow of information between this project and other projects of a
similar focus.
Communications and Visibility Requirements
284. Full compliance is required with UNDP’s Branding Guidelines. These can be accessed at
http://intra.undp.org/coa/branding.shtml, and specific guidelines on UNDP logo use can be accessed at:
http://intra.undp.org/branding/useOfLogo.html. Amongst other things, these guidelines describe when and
how the UNDP logo needs to be used, as well as how the logos of donors to UNDP projects needs to be
used. For the avoidance of any doubt, when logo use is required, the UNDP logo needs to be used alongside
the GEF logo. The GEF logo can be accessed at: http://www.thegef.org/gef/GEF_logo. The UNDP logo can
be accessed at http://intra.undp.org/coa/branding.shtml.
285. Full compliance is required with the GEF’s Communication and Visibility Guidelines (the “GEF
Guidelines”). The GEF Guidelines can be accessed at: http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/
74
documents/C.40.08_Branding_the_GEF%20final_0.pdf. Amongst other things, the GEF Guidelines describe
when and how the GEF logo needs to be used in project publications, vehicles, supplies and other project
equipment. The GEF Guidelines also describe other GEF promotional requirements regarding press releases,
press conferences, press visits, visits by Government officials, productions and other promotional items.
Costed M&E Work Plan, with Roles, Responsibilities and Timing
Type of M&E activity Responsible Parties
Budget US$
Excluding project
team staff time
Timeframe
Inception Workshop and
Report
PM
UNDP CO
UNDP-GEF RSC
Indicative cost:
$10,000
Within first four months of
project start up
Measurement of Means of
Verification of project
results.
PM will, with support from the
UNDP-GEF RSC, oversee the
hiring of specific studies and
institutions, and delegate
responsibilities to relevant team
members.
To be finalized in
Inception Phase and
Workshop.
Start, mid and end of project
(during evaluation cycle) and
annually when required.
Measurement of Means of
Verification for Project
Progress on output and
implementation
PM
To be determined as
part of the Annual
Work Plan
preparation.
Annually prior to ARR/PIR
and to the definition of annual
work plans
Project Steering
Committee Meetings
PM
UNDP CO
Indicative cost:
$10,000 ($2,000
annually)
Annually, at the end of the
calendar year for approval of
following year’s workplan and
budget
ARR/PIR
PM
UNDP CO
UNDP RTA
UNDP ERC
None Annually
Quarterly implementation
reports, including risk
monitoring and lesson
logging
PM None Quarterly
Completion of relevant
GEF Tracking Tools
PM
UNDP CO None
At mid-term (in conjunction
with MTR), and at completion
(in conjunction with TE)
Independent External
Mid-term Review (MTR)
PM
UNDP CO
UNDP RSC
External Consultants (i.e.
evaluation team)
Indicative cost:
25,000
At the mid-point of project
implementation, prior to
completion of the 2nd PIR.
Independent External
Terminal Evaluation (TE)
PM
UNDP CO
UNDP RSC
External Consultants (i.e.
evaluation team)
Indicative cost:
25,000
Within the last three months of
project implementation.
Project Terminal Report,
including Lessons
Learned
PM
UNDP CO
local consultant
None At least three months before
the end of the project
Audit UNDP CO
Project manager and team
Indicative cost:
10,000
Twice – at midterm and
project completion
Visits to field sites
UNDP CO
UNDP RSC (as appropriate)
Government representatives
For GEF-supported
projects, paid from
IA fees and
operational budget.
Annually
TOTAL indicative COST
Excluding project staff time and UNDP staff and travel
expenses
US$ 80,000
Note: Costs included in this table are part and parcel of the UNDP Total Budget and Work Plan (TBW) in the PRODOC, and not
additional to it.
75
Part V. Legal Context
286. This project document exists in English and Russian languages. In case of conflict, the English
version takes precedence.
287. This Project Document shall - together with the United Nations Development Assistance Framework
(UNDAF) for Kyrgyzstan (2012-2016) and the UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD, 2012-2016) -
be the instrument referred to as such in Article I of the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement between the
Government of Kyrgyzstan and the United Nations Development Program (signed by the parties on 14
September 1992).
288. Consistent with the Article III of the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement, the responsibility for the
safety and security of the implementing partner and its personnel and property, and of UNDP’s property in
the implementing partner’s custody, rests with the implementing partner
289. The implementing partner shall:
a. Put in place an appropriate security plan, and maintain the security plan, taking into account the
security situation in the country where the project is being carried out; and
b. Assume all risks and liabilities related to the implementing partner’s security, and the full
implementation of the security plan.
290. UNDP reserves the right to verify whether such a plan is in place, and to suggest modifications to
the plan when necessary. Failure to maintain and implement an appropriate security plan as required
hereunder shall be deemed a breach of this agreement.
291. The implementing partner agrees to undertake all reasonable efforts to ensure that none of the
UNDP funds received pursuant to the Project Document are used to provide support to individuals or entities
associated with terrorism and that the recipients of any amounts provided by UNDP hereunder do not appear
on the list maintained by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999).
The list can be accessed via http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/committees/1267/1267ListEng.htm. This provision
must be included in all sub-contracts or sub-agreements entered into under this Project Document.
292. The UNDP authorized official can effect in writing the following types of revision to this Project
Document, provided that he/she has verified the agreement thereto by the UNDP-GEF RSC and is assured
that the other signatories to the Project Document have no objection to the proposed changes:
a. Revision of, or addition to, any of the annexes to the Project Document;
b. Revisions which do not involve significant changes in the immediate objectives, outputs or activities
of the project, but are caused by the rearrangement of the inputs already agreed to or by cost
increases due to inflation;
c. Mandatory annual revisions which re-phrase the delivery of agreed project inputs or increased expert
or other costs due to inflation or take into account agency expenditure flexibility; and
d. Inclusion of additional annexes and attachments only as set out here in this Project Document.
AUDIT CLAUSE
The Project audits will be conducted according to UNDP Financial Regulations and Rules and applicable
Audit policies.
SECTION II. STRATEGIC RESULTS FRAMEWORK
This project will contribute to achieving the
following Country Program Outcome as defined
in CPAP or CPD:
UNDAF Pillar C, Outcome 2: By end of 2016 sustainable management of energy, environment and natural resources practices
operationalized.
UNDAF Pillar C, Outcome 2 Indicators: % of people living in ecosystems resilient to climate change; % increase in agricultural
production for markets and households;
Country Program Outcome A.2.9: Environment and climate change integrated into pro poor (socio-economic) development
policies and programs
Country Program Outcome Indicators: % of people who have equitable access to ecosystem services by province; % of water use efficiency for agricultural and energy
production; % of population benefiting from non-carbon energy sources
Applicable GEF-6 Biodiversity Strategic
Objectives, Programs, Outcomes, Indicators:
BD-1, Program 1, Outcome 1.2, Indicator 1.2
BD-1, Program 2, Outcome 2.2, Indicator 2.2
BD-4, Program 9, Outcome 9.1, Indicator 9.1
Applicable GEF-6 Land Degradation Strategic
Objectives, Programs, Outcomes, Indicators:
LD – 3, Program 4, Outcome 3.2, Indicator 3.2
Applicable GEF-6 Sustainable Forest
Management Strategic Objectives, Programs,
Outcomes, Indicators:
SFM – 1, Program 2, Outcome 1, Indicator 1
SFM – 2, Program 5, Outcome 3, Indicator 3
SFM – 3, Program 7, Outcome 5, Indicator 5
Project Goal: Improve the status of globally significant biodiversity, and improve the provision of ecosystem services from forest and land resources in Kyrgyzstan’s
Western Tian Shan mountains, supporting sustainable livelihoods.
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
Objective: To promote
a landscape approach
to protection of
internationally
important biodiversity,
and land and forest
resources in the
Western Tian Shan
mountains in
Kyrgyzstan
1. Trend in population
levels of globally
significant fauna (Red
List, ecosystem
indicator or keystone
species) in Jalal-Abad
province:
- Snow leopard
(Panthera uncia)
- Ibex (Capra
sibirica)
- Golden eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos)
- Tian Shan white
clawed bear (Ursus
Negative trend over the past 25
years of individuals that are
present at least sometime during
the year in Jalal-Abad province.
Number of individuals and annual
rate of change:
- Snow leopard (Panthera
uncia): 49; <0%
- Ibex (Capra sibirica): 4116;
<3%
- Golden eagle (Aquila
chrysaetos): 31;<1%
- Tian Shan white clawed bear
(Ursus arctos isabellinus):
197; <4%
Population trend is at least stable
over a rolling five-year period.
Number of individuals and annual
rate of change:
- Snow leopard (Panthera
uncia): 49; >0%
- Ibex (Capra sibirica): 4839;
>3%
- Golden eagle (Aquila
chrysaetos):40; >1%
- Tian Shan white clawed bear
(Ursus arctos isabellinus):
256; >5%
Consensus of annual
monitoring data from:
- Department of
Rational Use of
Natural Resources
(SAEPF)
- National Academy
of Sciences
- Department of
Protected Areas
(SAEPF)
- Non-government
sources
Assumptions:
- Economic and political
stability allows local
resource users to invest
in long-term planning
and conservation of
resources
- Populations of key
species are still at self-
sustaining levels, or can
be sufficiently
augmented by
colonization from other
regions
- Wildlife and biodiversity
requirements in
77
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
arctos isabellinus) landscape buffer zones
and corridors are not
fully incompatible with
local economic land uses
Risks:
State institutions
responsible for the
administration of
protected areas, pastures
and forests do not have
adequate capacity;
Low levels of compliance
with environmental
legislation, and a
reluctance to adopt more
sustainable natural
resource use practices;
Low levels of
coordination and
cooperation between
public institutions,
tenure holders, rights
holders, land owners,
NGOs/CBOs and natural
resources users;
Increasing aridisation of
high altitude habitats, as
a result of the effects of
climate change.
2. Status of globally
significant flora in
Toktogul and Toguz-
Toro districts:
- Semenov’s fir
(Abies Semenovii)
- Juniper (Juniperus
sp.)
- Relict spruce (Picea
schrenkiana)
Index of area and forest quality of
globally significant flora in
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts
(ha):
- Semenov’s fir (Abies
Semenovii) – Total = 4,281.8
ha:
Ha - Category 1: 2,025.1 (47%)
Ha – Category 2: 1,728.3 (40%)
Ha – Category 3: 528.4 (12%)
Ha – Category 4: 0 (0%)
- Juniper (Juniperus sp.) – Total
= 6,847.3 ha:
Ha - Category 1: 694.4 (10%)
Ha – Category 2: 4,254.9 (62%)
Ha – Category 3: 1,898 (28%)
Ha – Category 4: 0 (0%)
- Relict spruce (Picea
schrenkiana) – Total =
2,125.5 ha:
Ha - Category 1: 850.6 (40%)
Ha – Category 2: 1,048.8 (49%)
Ha – Category 3: 226.1 (11%)
Ha – Category 4: 0 (0%)
Index of area and forest quality of
globally significant flora in
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro
districts:
- Semenov’s fir (Abies
Semenovii) – Total = 4,281.8
ha:
Ha - Category 1: 2,225.1
Ha – Category 2: 1,956.3
Ha – Category 3: 100.4
Ha – Category 4: 0
- Juniper (Juniperus sp.) –
Total = 7,171.8 ha:
Ha - Category 1: 1289.1
Ha – Category 2: 4,701.7
Ha – Category 3: 1,181.0
Ha – Category 4: 0
- Relict spruce (Picea
schrenkiana) – Total =
4,202.6 ha:
Ha - Category 1: 1,745.7
Ha – Category 2: 2,456.9
Ha – Category 3: 0
Ha – Category 4: 0
Consensus of annual
monitoring data from:
- Forest Department
(SAEPF)
- Toktogul and
Toguz-Toro
leskhozes
- National Academy
of Sciences
- Department of
Protected Areas
(SAEPF)
- Non-government
sources
3. Area of degraded
pastureland in four
target A/As in Toktogul
and Toguz-Toro districts
- Cholpon-Ata
- Kyzyl-Ozgorush
- Kok-Irim
- Atai
65,361 ha (estimated based on
relevant available data)
0 ha (decrease of 65,361 ha) Assessment at end of
project via e-Pasture
Management System
and rapid assessment of
change in degraded area
by national experts =>
GEF-6 PMAT LD TT
(sheet 2, cell C17)
GEF Global RF
Assumptions:
- Implementation of SLM
via e-Pasture
Management System can
be achieved in lifetime
of project
- Implementation of SLM
via dynamic annual
grazing plans based on
ecological conditions
78
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
Linkage:
GEF-6 LD Global
Indicators: Outcome
3.1: Support
mechanisms for SLM in
wider landscapes
established
Indicator 3.1:
Demonstration results
strengthening cross-
sector integration of
SLM
Outcome 3.2: Integrated
landscape management
practices adopted by
local communities based
on gender sensitive
needs.
Indicator 3.2:
Application of
integrated natural
resource management
(INRM) practices in
wider landscapes
UNDP IRRF Indicator
Linkage:
IRRF Indicator 1.1.3:
Number of new schemes
which expand and
diversify the productive
base, based on the use of
sustainable production
technologies
leads to reduced
degradation of
pastureland
- PMCs are able to enforce
grazing plans
- Key driver of
degradation is non-
alignment of dynamic
annual land carrying
capacity with annual
stocking levels
- Key barriers are
insufficient data on
pasture conditions,
insufficient data
management to align
annual dynamic carrying
capacity with stocking
levels, and capacity of
PMCs to implement
SLM measures based on
available information
Risks:
- PMCs cannot self-
sustain the use of the e-
Pasture Management
System after project
completion
- Communities continue to
increase livestock
numbers beyond
sustainable levels
4. Landscape area under
directly improved
conservation
management
Area of Jalal-Abad province for
which improved biodiversity,
forest, and land management
measures will be directly
influenced by project results:
- 0 ha
Area of Jalal-Abad province for
which improved biodiversity,
forest, and land management
measures will be directly
influenced by project results:
- 472,635 ha (SFM in 34,382
GEF-6 BD TT for
Program 9 (cell C31)
GEF Global RF
Linkage:
GEF 6 Global
Assumptions:
- Community and local
government stakeholders
maintain commitment to
mainstream biodiversity
considerations in
79
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
ha of forest (the forested area
under management by
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro
leskhozes), restoration of
degraded forest in 4,886 ha,
implementation of SLM in
147,268 ha of pasturelands
(65,361 ha of which is
degraded pasturelands). In
addition, 286,099 ha of
protected areas, of which
87,322 ha are the two new
PAs in the primary target
districts.)
Indicators:
Outcome 9.1 Increased
area of production
landscapes and
seascapes that integrate
conservation and
sustainable use of
biodiversity into
management.
Indicator 9.1 Production
landscapes and
seascapes that integrate
biodiversity
conservation and
sustainable use into their
management preferably
demonstrated by
meeting national or
international third-party
certification that
incorporates
biodiversity
considerations (e.g.
FSC, MSC) or
supported by other
objective data.
UNDP IRRF Indicator
Linkage:
IRRF Indicator 1.5.
Hectares of land that are
managed sustainably
under in-situ
conservation,
sustainable use, and/or
an Access and Benefits
Sharing (ABS) regime
economic activities in
the wider landscape
Risks:
- Land use and natural
resource management
approaches necessary for
biodiversity and
ecosystem-integrity
considerations are not
compatible with local
economic land use needs
and priorities
- Land tenure and usufruct
tenure disputes delay
implementation of
project activities such
that management
measures are not fully
adopted by the end of the
project
5. Landscape area under
indirectly improved
conservation
Area of Jalal-Abad province for
which improved biodiversity,
forest, and land management
Area of Jalal-Abad province for
which improved biodiversity,
forest, and land management
GEF-6 BD TT for
Program 9 (cell C32)
Assumptions:
- Community and local
government stakeholders
80
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
management measures will be indirectly
influenced by project results:
- 0 ha
measures will be indirectly
influenced by project results:
- 944,317 ha (Area of two
target districts, less the area
of the PAs (87,322 ha), SFM
land (34,382 ha), afforested
area (4,886 ha), and SLM
land (147,268 ha) covered in
these districts under direct
coverage above.)
GEF Global RF
Linkage:
GEF-6 Global
Indicators:
Outcome 9.1 Increased
area of production
landscapes and
seascapes that integrate
conservation and
sustainable use of
biodiversity into
management.
Indicator 9.1 Production
landscapes and
seascapes that integrate
biodiversity
conservation and
sustainable use into their
management preferably
demonstrated by
meeting national or
international third-party
certification that
incorporates
biodiversity
considerations (e.g.
FSC, MSC) or
supported by other
objective data.
maintain commitment to
mainstream biodiversity
considerations in
economic activities in
the wider landscape
Risks:
- Insufficient data on key
biodiversity areas and
key species in time to
adequately develop and
integrate biodiversity
considerations in district
development plans
before the end of the
project
6. Population of
Toktogul and Toguz-
Toro districts that have
derived indirect
livelihood benefits from
project results
(disaggregated by
gender)
Toktogul District
- 0 women
- 0 men
Toguz-Toro District
- 0 women
- 0 men
Baseline: 2015
Toktogul District communities of
Cholpon-Ata and Kyzyl-
Ozgorush
- 8,979 women
- 9,328 men
Toguz-Toro District communities
of Kok-Irim and Atai
- 2,723 women
- 2,909 men
Population in directly
targeted project areas,
with assessment of
livelihood benefits by
3rd party source (i.e. not
government, not project
team). Source for
population figures
www.stat.kg.
UNDP IRRF Indicator
Assumptions:
- The project will have
diffuse economic
benefits for communities
living closest to new PAs
- The economic/livelihood
benefits resulting from
the project can be
identified
Risks:
81
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
Linkage:
IRRF Indicator 1.3.2:
Number of new jobs and
livelihoods created
through management of
natural resources,
ecosystem services,
chemicals and waste,
disaggregated by sex
1.3.2.A: Number of
additional people
benefitting from
strengthened livelihoods
through solutions for
management of natural
resources, ecosystem
services, chemicals and
waste
- Alignment of land and
natural resource uses
with biodiversity and
other ecological
considerations results in
short-term negative
livelihood impacts
- Total economic /
livelihood benefits may
be felt unevenly within
the local population
Outcome 1:
Conservation and
sustainable
management of Key
Biodiversity Areas
within landscape
7. Management
effectiveness of key
alpine protected areas in
Jalal-Abad province
covering 286,099 ha
METT Score:
- Alatai SNP (new PA): 17
- Kan-Achuu SNP (new PA): 16
- Sary-Chelek SBR: 59
- Padysh-Ata SNR: 45
- Besh Aral SNR: 43
- Saimaluu-Tash SNP: 29
METT Score:
- Alatai NP (new PA): >50
- Kan-Achuu NP (new PA):
>50
- Sary-Chelek SNR: >65
- Padysh-Ata SNR: >50
- Besh Aral SNR: >50
- Saimaluu-Tash SNP: >40
GEF-6 BD TT for
Programs 1 and 2
(individual PA sheets,
cell C147)
GEF Global RF
Linkage:
GEF-6 Global Indicator:
Outcome 1.2: Improved
management
effectiveness of
protected areas.
Indicator 1.2: Protected
area management
effectiveness score.
Outcome 2.2: Improved
management
effectiveness of new
protected areas.
Indicator 2.2: Protected
area management
Assumptions:
- Project activities result
in improved
management of PAs
- No new significant
threats to targeted PAs
emerge
Risks:
- Limited capacity of
national institutions
responsible for PA
management
- No additional financial
means identified to
sustain improved PA
management after
project completion
- Inadequate capacity to
collect and manage
biodiversity and other
environmental
82
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
effectiveness score. monitoring data to
support improved
management
- Development and
adoption of PA
management plans for
new PAs requires more
time than the project
implementation period
8. Status of HCVF
management approach
legal and regulatory
framework
HCVF management approach not
legally recognized, and
consequently not regulated
HCVF management approach has
legal basis, and relevant
regulations are produced,
Legal documents
demonstrating adoption
of HCVF in regulatory
or other legal documents
at national level.
GEF Global RF
Linkage:
GEF-6 Global
Indicators:
Outcome 9.2 Sector
policies and regulatory
frameworks incorporate
biodiversity
considerations.
Indicator 9.2 The degree
to which sector policies
and regulatory
frameworks incorporate
biodiversity
considerations and
implement the
regulations.
Assumptions:
- National stakeholders
willingness to adopt
internationally
recognized HCVF
approach for
implementation in
Kyrgyzstan
- HCVF can be adequately
adapted to Kyrgyzstan’s
unique national forest
situation
Risks:
- Limited capacity of
national institutions
responsible for forest
management
- Time required for formal
legal adoption of HCVF
approach at national
level may take longer
than lifetime of project
9. Existence of HCVF
management measures
in FMPs and level of
implementation in
Toktogul and Toguz-
Toro districts
HCVF management measures not
incorporated in FMPs in Toktogul
and Toguz-Toro districts
0/6 on GEF TT scale: No existence
or mention of biodiversity (e.g.
Implementation is initiated
(defined as incorporation of
HCVF management practices in
approved FMPs) in Toktogul and
Toguz-Toro districts
4/6 on GEF TT scale: “Step 4:
The regulations are under
Approval of FMPs for
leskhozes in Toktogul
and Toguz-Toro districts
that include HCVF
management measures
in revised FMPs
GEF Global RF
83
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
HCVF) considerations in sector
policy
implementation” Linkage:
GEF-6 Global
Indicators:
Outcome 9.2 Sector
policies and regulatory
frameworks incorporate
biodiversity
considerations.
Indicator 9.2 The degree
to which sector policies
and regulatory
frameworks incorporate
biodiversity
considerations and
implement the
regulations.
10. Average number of
hectares covered per
week by anti-poaching
patrols (PA rangers,
forest rangers, and game
wardens) in Alatai SNP
(56,826 ha) and Kan-
Achuu SNP (30,497 ha),
Toktogul (104,860 ha)
and Toguz-Toro (57,356
ha) leskhoz territories,
and Chychkan
Zoological (game)
reserve (65,551)
territories in Toktogul
and Toguz-Toro
districts, out of the
315,090 ha total SNP,
leskhoz, and game
reserve)
250 hectares patrolled per week in
2016 (10 km covered per day by
ranger teams (2+ individuals) for
each of five management areas for
5 of 7 days)
1000 hectares patrolled per week
in 2021 (baseline * four times the
number of anti-poaching ranger
team patrols for each location.
Assessed as the minimum
coverage necessary to ensure
effective management, regulatory
monitoring, and deterrence of
illegal activities)
Patrol records of PAs,
leskhozes, and of
Department of Rational
Use of Natural
Resources
Assumptions:
- Strengthened capacity
for PA management in
new PAs results in
increased patrol
coverage
- Financial commitment
by department of rational
use of natural resources
to increase patrol
coverage in hunting
areas outside of PAs
- Increased patrol
coverage is considered a
PA management priority
- Increased patrolling is
desirable as a means
leading to decreased
violations (recorded or
unrecorded) of hunting
and other conservation
regulations
- Local community
members are also
84
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
educated and made
aware of regulations, as
a result of project
activities or other
education and awareness
initiatives by
management authorities
Risks:
- Financial requirements
for increased patrolling
are too great for
responsible PA, leskhoz,
and game reserve
management authorities
- Local community
members unwilling to
participate in joint
patrols due to time
demands or other
economic commitments
Outcome 2: Ecosystem
resilience and habitat
connectivity in Western
Tian Shan are
enhanced by
regulating land and
forest use in buffer
zones and corridors
and support to
sustainable livelihoods
11. Area of sustainably
managed forest in
Toktogul and Toguz-
Toro districts (broken
down by HCVF in PAs,
HCVF in leskhoz, and
all other forest)
Total 0 ha out of 40,839 ha of
HCVF
Toktogul HCVF: 31,045 ha (5,658
ha within Alatai PA, 25,387 ha in
leskhoz);
Toguz-Toro HCVF: 9,794 (799
within Kan-Achuu PA, 8,995 ha in
leskhoz);
>40,000 ha GEF-6 SFM TT (cell
E15 + cell E18) Assumptions:
- Toktogul and Toguz-
Toro leskhozes remain
willing to implement
SFM measures,
incorporating HCVF
approaches in Forest
Management Plans
- Target PMCs remain
willing to implement e-
Pasture Management
System
- Local and national
stakeholders are willing
to adopt regulations
codifying HCVF
approach in Kyrgyzstan
Risks:
12. Area of forest
resources restored in the
landscape (broken down
by reforested/afforested
area, vs. area under
natural regeneration
support
0 ha 4,886 ha (500 ha
reforestation/afforestation, 4,500
ha supported for natural
regeneration)
GEF-6 SFM TT (cell
E21)
13. Lifetime indirect
GHG emissions avoided
0 tons CO2 equivalent 2,979,548 tons CO2 equivalent GEF-6 SFM TT (cell
C27)
85
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
14. Implementation of e-
Pasture Management
System (as an SLM
mechanism supporting
implementation of the
Pastures Law) in Toguz-
Toro and Toktogul
districts
Pasture Management Committees
(PMCs) do not have support
mechanisms to implement SLM
e-Pasture Management System
implemented by 4 PMCs in
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro
districts
Signed letter by PMCs
validating
implementation of e-
Pasture Management
System in Toktogul and
Toguz-Toro districts
Delays in project activities
result in missed field
seasons for planting and
regenerating forest area
Fencing is too costly and
time-consuming to
procure and install to
meet project target
objectives for assisted
regeneration
Forest pasture users are
not willing to implement
grazing regimes
supportive of natural
regeneration
Implementing HCVF
approach and meeting
project forest restoration
targets leads to
significant drop in
leskhoz revenue
State institutions
responsible for the
administration of
protected areas, pastures
and forests do not have
adequate capacity;
Low levels of compliance
with environmental
legislation, and a
reluctance to adopt more
sustainable natural
resource use practices;
Low levels of
coordination and
cooperation between
public institutions,
tenure holders, rights
holders, land owners,
15. Hectares of alpine
grassland and forest
ecosystems under
improved conservation
management
0 ha 186,536 ha - SFM in 34,382 ha of
HCVF, restore degraded forest in
4,886 ha, and implement SLM in
147,268 ha of pasturelands
GEF-6 BD TT for
Program 9 (cell C31
minus sum of cells
D47:D52)
GEF Global RF
Linkage:
GEF-6 Global
Indicators:
Outcome 9.1 Increased
area of production
landscapes and
seascapes that integrate
conservation and
sustainable use of
biodiversity into
management.
Indicator 9.1 Production
landscapes and
seascapes that integrate
biodiversity
conservation and
sustainable use into their
management preferably
demonstrated by
meeting national or
international third-party
certification that
incorporates
biodiversity
considerations (e.g.
FSC, MSC) or
86
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
supported by other
objective data.
NGOs/CBOs and natural
resources users; and
The increasing aridisation
of high altitude habitats,
as a result of the effects
of climate change.
16. Hectares of
pastureland under SLM
in Toktogul and Toguz-
Toro districts
0 ha 147,268 ha GEF-6 LD PMAT TT
(sheet 2, cell C17, plus
balance of non-degraded
community pastureland
used targeted for SLM
(81,907 ha))
17. Number of people
whose livelihoods are
affected by land
degradation in Toktogul
and Toguz-Toro districts
(with a population
number index value
fixed set at 100 for 2016
(in case of total
population increases or
decreases))
- Women: 11,702
- Men: 12,237
- Total: 23,939
- Index = 100%
Toktogul District
Cholpon-Ata Village
- 3,562 women
- 3,802 men
Kyzyl-Ozgorush Village
- 5,417 women
- 5,526 men
Toguz-Toro District
Kok-Irim Village
- 1,703 women
- 1,782 men
Atai Village
- 1,020 women
- 1,127 men
- Women: <11,702
- Men: <12,237
- Total: <23,939
- Index: <100% of total
population
Toktogul District
Cholpon-Ata Village
- 3,562 women
- 3,802 men
Kyzyl-Ozgorush Village
- 5,417 women
- 5,526 men
Toguz-Toro District
Kok-Irim Village
- 1,703 women
- 1,782 men
Atai village
- 1,020 women
- 1,127 men
End of project survey on
percentage of the local
population whose
livelihoods are affected
by land degradation
(populations of four
communities with PMCs
that the project will be
working with)
Assumptions:
- At current levels of land
degradation, the
livelihoods of all
community members are
affected, based on the
assumption that all
households have
livestock, and all
household livestock use
degraded lands at some
time during the year
- Degradation will be
reduced by
implementation of SLM
measures
- Target PMCs remain
willing to implement e-
Pasture Management
System
- PUA members abide by
PMC grazing plans
- Primary driver of pasture
degradation is over or
undergrazing at any
given point in time
Risks:
- Land degradation does
not proceed quickly
enough to show
demonstrable benefits
87
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
before the end of the
project
- Community members
continue to increase
livestock numbers
beyond carrying capacity
of pastureland
18. Herder/farmer
income change based on
benefits from micro-
finance/grant program
for individuals
participating in the
program.
- Women: N/A
- Men: N/A
- Women: 10% increase
- Men: 10% increase
Data to be provided by
participants in the
program (Note: average
per capita income/month
in Jalal-Abad province:
3,624 soms (source:
www.stat.kg), so 10%
on an average micro-
loan/grant of $1000 =
6.4% annual ROI).
Notes: As per national
statistical committee
methodology: “labor
income,” “proceeds
from sale of agricultural
products, fodder,
cattle”, and “Property
income”. Excluding
“Social transfers”.
Note: Income generally
reported by household,
not distinguished within
household between men
and women – to
disaggregate by gender,
household income is
divided by 50% in
households with both
men and women.
Assumptions:
- Individuals see income
changes within lifetime
of project
- Negligible default rate
on micro-finance
agreements
Risks:
- Insufficient local
absorption capacity to
adequately implement
micro-finance/grant
activity
- Implementation of
micro- finance /grant
program delayed such
that benefits are not seen
before end of project
- Micro- finance /grant
institutional partners not
suited to support
implementation of
program objectives
- Alternative livelihoods
do not have foreseen
environmental benefits
88
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
GEF Global RF
Linkage:
GEF-6 LD Global
Indicator: (b) Improved
livelihoods in rural areas
(Farmer income –
disaggregated by
gender)
Outcome 3:
Strengthened national
capacities for snow
leopard conservation,
promoting Kyrgyz
regional and global
cooperation, and
setting the scene for
up-scaling
19. Level of illegal
wildlife trade activity, as
indicated by number of
snow leopard, snow
leopard prey, and other
illegal wildlife seizures
at border crossings and
at Manas international
airport, as well as
number of arrests
related to wildlife
trafficking
Annual number of seizures:
- 2015 - On the Tajik-Kyrgyz
border - attempted transfer
from Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan
of two snow leopard skins and
one snow leopard cub
- 2015 - one snow leopard skin
confiscated in Bishkek (from
Talas region)
- 2016 - one snow leopard skin
confiscated in Issyk-Kul
- Zero seizures assisted by
specially trained dogs
- 4 arrests related to wildlife
trafficking
- <50% of prosecutions
resulting from wildlife
trafficking arrests
Annual number of seizures:
- Snow leopard: <Baseline (at
least one seizure assisted by
specially trained dogs)
- Snow leopard prey:
<Baseline (at least one
seizure assisted by specially
trained dogs)
- Other illegal wildlife:
<Baseline (at least one
seizure by specially trained
dogs)
- Number of arrests =
>baseline
- >50% of arrests result in
prosecutions
National customs,
border control, and law
enforcement data on
annual illegal wildlife
trade seizures
Note: baseline
breakdown of number
assisted by specially
trained dogs is not
available as program
with dogs is beginning
only at the time of the
finalization of this
project document.
However, the figure
should be broken out in
future reporting.
GEF Global RF
Linkage:
GEF-6 BD Global
Indicator:
Outcome 3.1: Reduction
in rates of poaching of
rhinos and elephants and
other threatened species
and increase in arrests
and convictions
(baseline established per
participating country)
Indicator 3.1: Rates of
Assumption:
- An increasing trend in
seizures indicates
improved enforcement.
However, there is
expected to be a negative
feedback loop as well:
As enforcement
improves, illegal wildlife
trafficking activity may
decrease, leading to a
decreasing trend in
seizures. It is assumed
that this negative
feedback loop will not
yet set-in before the end
of the project.
- An improvement in
enforcement will lead to
a reduction in actual
poaching
Risks:
- A reduction in the
number of seizures
resulting from improved
secrecy and methods by
poachers and traffickers
in order to defy
improved enforcement
- Political interference
- Poor coordination and
89
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
poaching incidents and
arrests and convictions.
cooperation by various
law enforcement bodies
- Limited prosecution for
detected illegal activities
20. Level of
international
cooperation and
coordination with
Kyrgyzstan border
countries regarding
illegal wildlife trade,
biodiversity
management in
borderland protected
areas, and snow leopard
monitoring
No formal international agreement
between Kyrgyzstan and
neighboring countries related to
snow leopard conservation
International agreement between
Kyrgyzstan and at least one
bordering country under
implementation regarding at least
one of the below issues:
- Cooperation on law
enforcement at border points
regarding illegal wildlife
trade
- Illegal hunting by border
guards
- Data sharing on snow leopard
monitoring
Existence/absence of
agreement Assumptions:
- Political will exists
between Kyrgyzstan and
at least one bordering
country to cooperate on
snow leopard
conservation
- An agreement can be
negotiated and adopted
within the life of the
project
- Cooperation on snow
leopard conservation
presents the opportunity
for a non-politically
threatening issue for
international cooperation
Risks:
- International relations
between countries
preclude possibility of
agreement on sharing of
monitoring data, and on
cooperation relating to
wildlife law enforcement
at border points
- Countries are unwilling
to enforce hunting
regulations for border
guards
21. Quality and
coverage of snow
leopard monitoring data
in Kyrgyzstan as
indicated by estimated
Latest population estimate 15 years
prior (2001) with a 30%
confidence level (lowest possible
estimated population / highest
possible estimated population, i.e.
Publishing of annual estimates
with a 60% confidence level (the
average confidence level among
other snow leopard range states in
GSLEP population estimate)
Annual national snow
leopard monitoring
database
Assumptions:
- Accurately estimating
snow leopard population
can be done in a single
year
90
Component Indicator Baseline (2016) End of Project Target Sources of Verification Risks and Assumptions
accuracy and timeliness
of national snow leopard
population estimate
150/500 = 30%) - It is in the national
interest to report an
accurate level of snow
leopard population on an
annual basis
- The project, along with
other partner initiatives,
can provide full national
coverage for snow
leopard monitoring
Risks:
- Limited technical
capacity of national
institutions responsible
for wildlife monitoring,
including snow leopard
monitoring
- Potential lack of
coordination and
cooperation between
institutions responsible
for snow leopard
monitoring
- Application of non-
comparable data
collection techniques and
records from different
parts of the country
91
SECTION III. TOTAL BUDGET AND WORK PLAN
ATLAS Award ID: 00097902 Project ID(s): 00101450
Award Title: Conservation of globally important biodiversity and associated land and forest resources of Western Tian Shan mountain ecosystems to support sustainable livelihoods
Business Unit: UNDP Kyrgyzstan Country Office (KGZ10)
Project Title: Conservation of globally important biodiversity and associated land and forest resources of Western Tian Shan mountain ecosystems to support sustainable livelihoods
PIMS no. 5411
Implementing Partner
(Executing Agency)
UNDP
GEF Out-
come /
Atlas Ac-
tivity
Re-
spon-
sible
Party
Fund
ID
Donor
Name
Atlas
Budget-
ary
Code
Atlas Budget Description Year 2017 Year 2018 Year 2019 Year 2020 Year 2021 Total (USD) Ref
#
Outcome 1
UNDP 62000 GEF
71200 International Consultants 0.00 0.00 10,000.00 15,000.00 10,000.00 35,000.00 1
71300 Local Consultants 61,277.00 81,677.00 62,077.00 38,877.00 6,277.00 250,185.00 2
71400 Contractual Services - Individuals 16,840.00 16,840.00 16,840.00 16,840.00 16,840.00 84,200.00 3
71600 Travel 3,000.00 5,800.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 17,800.00 4
72100 Contractual Services-Companies 23,800.00 19,000.00 14,000.00 10,000.00 0.00 66,800.00 5
72200 Equipment and Furniture 112,500.00 180,000.00 132,000.00 90,000.00 0.00 514,500.00 6
72600 Grants 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 20,000.00 7
72800 Information Technology Equipment 0.00 14,200.00 6,000.00 0.00 0.00 20,200.00 8
72300 Materials & Goods 37,500.00 50,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 87,500.00 9
74200 Audio Visual&Print Prod Costs 4,000.00 17,000.00 22,000.00 11,000.00 2,000.00 56,000.00 10
75700 Training, Workshops and Conferences 31,400.00 120,800.00 160,900.00 101,836.00 32,879.00 447,815.00 11
Sub-Total Component 1 (GEF) 294,317.00 509,317.00 430,817.00 290,553.00 74,996.00 1,600,000.00
UNDP 04000
UNDP
TRA
C 72200 Equipment and Furniture 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 100,000.00
12
Sub-Total Component 1 (UNDP TRAC) 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 100,000.00
Total Outcome 1 314,317.00 529,317.00 450,817.00 310,553.00 94,996.00 1,700,000.00
Outcome 2 UNDP 62000 GEF 71200 International Consultants 0.00 0.00 15,000.00 0.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 13
92
71300 Local Consultants 129,077.00 128,477.00 92,077.00 37,077.00 7,477.00 394,185.00 14
71400 Contractual Services - Individuals 16,840.00 16,840.00 16,840.00 16,840.00 16,840.00 84,200.00 15
71600 Travel 4,000.00 18,000.00 14,400.00 6,000.00 4,000.00 46,400.00 16
72100 Contractual Services-Companies 0.00 123,300.00 101,800.00 30,000.00 0.00 255,100.00 17
72200 Equipment and Furniture 0.00 88,000.00 88,000.00 40,000.00 0.00 216,000.00 18
72600 Grants 0.00 60,000.00 84,000.00 84,000.00 0.00 228,000.00 19
72800 Information Technology Equipment 600.00 7,000.00 14,600.00 5,000.00 0.00 27,200.00 20
74200 Audio Visual&Print Prod Costs 0.00 0.00 8,497.75 0.00 6,500.00 14,997.75 21
75700 Training, Workshops and Conferences 27,614.25 97,700.00 79,600.00 95,579.00 17,000.00 317,493.25 22
Total Outcome 2 178,131.25 539,317.00 514,814.75 314,496.00 61,817.00 1,608,576.00
Outcome 3 UNDP 62000 GEF
71200 International Consultants 0.00 0.00 5,000.00 0.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 23
71300 Local Consultants 64,100.00 67,300.00 23,600.00 2,200.00 0.00 157,200.00 24
71600 Travel 45,000.00 22,000.00 37,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 124,000.00 25
72800 Information Technology Equipment 14,800.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 14,800.00 26
74200 Audio Visual&Print Prod Costs 19,600.00 11,600.00 9,368.00 0.00 0.00 40,568.00 27
75700 Training, Workshops and Conferences 60,800.00 72,300.00 65,600.00 36,800.00 8,000.00 243,500.00 28
Total Outcome 3 204,300.00 173,200.00 140,568.00 49,000.00 23,000.00 590,068.00
71400 Contractual Services - Individuals 13,120.67 13,776.70 14,465.54 15,188.82 15,948.27 72,500.00 29
71600 Travel 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 25,000.00 30
73100 Rent and office maintenance 12,000.00 12,000.00 12,000.00 12,000.00 12,000.00 60,000.00 31
74100 Professional Services - Audit
5,000.00
5,000.00 10,000.00 32
74598 Direct Project Costs 4,500.00 4,500.00 4,500.00 4,500.00 4,431.00 22,431.00 33
Total Project Management 34,620.67 35,276.70 40,965.54 36,688.82 42,379.27 189,931.00
Total GEF 711,368.92 1,257,110.70 1,127,165.29 690,737.82 202,192.27 3,988,575.00
Total UNDP TRAC 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 100,000.00
GRAND Total 731,368.92 1,287,110.70 1,147,165.29 710,737.82 222,192.27 4,088,575.00
Summary of Funds: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 TOTAL
GEF 711,369 1,257,111 1,127,165 690,738 202,192 3,988,575
Other: 4,375,202 7,716,387 6,920,824 4,248,892 1,257,878 24,519,183
TOTAL 5,096,571 8973,498 8,047,989 4,939,630 1,460,070 28,507,758
93
NOTE: As requested by the GEF Secretariat following initial submission, an Annex 14 has been added to this Prodoc to supplement the budget notes below, and provide further clarification of how
the funds budgeted under the various ATLAS categories correspond to the planned activities and expected results. In addition, as requested, Annex 15 has been added to this Prodoc summarizing
the total planned budget expenditure for each ATLAS budget category and the share of the total budget for that category. Included in Annex 15 is an explanation of the usage of the budget under
each category.
Budget
reference # Budget Notes
1 Pro rata (43%) cost of contracting the services of an international mid-term evaluation consultant under Output 1.1 (8 weeks @ US$3235/wk) (M&E). Pro rata (43%) costs of contracting the
services of an international final evaluation consultant under Output 1.1 (9 weeks @ US$3235/wk) (M&E).
2
National professional, technical and scientific expertise for: Output 1.1. activities on PA zoning and biodiversity inventory, appropriate management tools development and staff training
(112 local consultant weeks @$550/week; 2 trainers for 12 training workshops @$500 per trainer/workshop); Output 1.2 on HCVF status upgrading, on-the-ground HCVF identification and
management plans development, as well as leskhoz staff training (164 local consultant weeks @$US550/week); Output 1.3 on capacity development of other PAs and leskhozes in the
region, including PA Steering Boards and leskhoz JFM Board establishment and capacitating for operation (104 local consultant weeks @US$500/week, 76 local consultant weeks
@$US550/week); Output 1.4. local capacity building for joint patrolling of PAs, buffer zones and corridors (12 local consultant weeks @US$550, 4 local consultant weeks @US$500/week).
Pro rata (33%) costs of contracting the services of a local mid-term evaluation consultant (6 weeks @ US$550/wk) (M&E). Pro rata (33%) costs of contracting the services of a local final
evaluation consultant (6 weeks @ US$550/wk) (M&E).
3
Pro rata (35%) costs of Project Coordinator (240 weeks @ US$550/wk) (Component 1). Project coordinator technical functions and outputs include:
Supervise and coordinate the production of project outputs, as per the project document;
Mobilize all project inputs in accordance with procedures for nationally implemented projects;
Coordinate the recruitment and selection of project personnel;
Supervise and coordinate the work of all project staff, consultants and sub-contractors;
Prepare and revise project work and financial plans;
Liaise with UNDP, relevant government agencies, and all project partners, including donor organizations and NGOs for effective coordination of all project activities;
Oversee and ensure timely submission of the Inception Report, Combined Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report (PIR/APR), Technical reports, quarterly financial
reports, and other reports as may be required by UNDP, GEF, TFS and other oversight agencies;
Disseminate project reports and respond to queries from concerned stakeholders;
Report progress of project to the SC, and ensure the fulfillment of SC directives;
Oversee the exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned with relevant community based integrated conservation and development projects nationally and
internationally;
Ensure the timely and effective implementation of all components of the project;
Assist SAEPF and other relevant government agencies and project partners - including donor organizations and NGOs - with development of essential skills through training
workshops and on the job training thereby upgrading their institutional capabilities;
Carry out regular, announced and unannounced inspections of all sites and project-funded activities.
4
Travel costs (flights, vehicle rental, fuel, daily allowances, accommodation, etc.) associated to supervise or/and monitor all the on-ground works and labor (Output 1.1). Travel costs (rental,
maintenance and fuel costs) associated with the zoning, management tools and infrastructure development in Alatai and Kan-Achuu PAs and leskhoz participatory boards operations (Output
1.1, Output 1.2., Outputs 1.3. 1n3 1.4)
5 Institution to facilitate PA and leskhoz and local communities’ partnership mechanisms building and awareness raising (Output 1.1) (Budgeted at a total of $29,800). Institution to upgrade
the status of HCVF and upgrade enabling frames on SFM and HCVF (Output 1.2) (Budgeted at a total of $37,000).
6 Procurement of essential office furniture, equipment, software, road maintenance machinery, surveillance and monitoring equipment (Output 1.1 and Output 1.4). Procurement (and
installation) of communications technology (i.e. cellphones, satellite phone or VHF/FM radio communications) for Alatai and Kan-Achuu SNPs (Output 1.1.) Purchase of supplies for key
94
Budget
reference # Budget Notes
PA infrastructure, such as entry gates, storage facilities, boundary markers, and enforcement structures.
7 Grant fund for incentives for wildlife anti-poaching activities (Output 1.4). The grant in this budget will follow UNDP Micro-Capital Grants’ policy.
8 Procurement of essential office equipment and software to operationalize new PAs and leskhoz participatory management boards, as well as other targeted PA Steering Boards (Output 1.2,
1.3 and Output 1.4).
9 Procurement of materials to construct Alatai and Kan-Achuu SNPs’ offices, guard huts, and boom gates for access checkpoints, and sign placement (Output 1.1).
10 Procurement of special services to develop and publish different information products in national, regional and local media and social network on new and existing PA objectives and
functioning as well as about HCVF (Output 1.1. and Output 1.2.).
11
Advanced training courses for managers, rangers and community liaison staff in Alatai and Kan-Achuu SNPs, and Toktogul and Toguz-Toro leskhozes, as well as for other PA and
leskhozes of the Jalal-Abad region (Output 1.1,Output 1.2 and Output 1.3). Participatory Management Board meetings in target SNP and leskhozes. Pro rata (33%) costs of translation and
meeting costs for inception workshop (M&E).
12
Cost of one vehicle for each of the two new SNPs, necessary due to the long distances and difficult terrain between SNP offices and PA locations. Costs of the procurement of office
furniture, vehicle and equipment for the PMU (Output 1.1.). Vehicle will initially be used by PMU for project implementation responsibilities due to the long distances between project field
sites, difficult terrain, and non-existent public transportation between sites. At project completion the vehicle will be transferred to SAEPF for use by the SNPs.
13 Pro rata (43%) costs of contracting the services of an international mid-term evaluation consultant under Output 2.1 (8 weeks @ US$3235/wk). Pro rata (43%) costs of contracting the
services of an international final evaluation consultant under Output 2.1 (9 weeks @ US$3235/wk).
14
Local professional, technical and scientific expertise for activities: Under Output 2.1 on buffer zones and corridors conceptualization in enabling frameworks; to identify buffer zones and
corridors on the project sites and assess their biodiversity potential; and on hunting grounds inventory, management upgrades and develop corresponding database (total for Output 2.1 of
248 local consultant weeks @US$550/week, and 22 local consultant weeks @US$500/week). Under Output 2.2. for integrating BD, SLM and SFM objectives into local development plans;
to examine the infrastructure development and mining plans for identifying potential conflicts with protected areas (total for Output 2.2 of 52 local consultant weeks @US$550/week, and 4
local consultant weeks @US$500/week). Under Output 2.3. for activities on assessment of degraded pastures and pasture management plans and other tools improvement; for valuation of
pasture ecosystems services and research of climate change impact on pastures; for forest pasture inventory and management planning (total for Output 2.3 of 184 local consultant weeks
@US$550/week, and 36 local consultant weeks @US$500/week). Under Output 2.4. for activities on assessment of degraded forests and forest restoration planning (total for Output 2.4 of
72 local consultant weeks @US$550/week, and 140 local consultant weeks @US$500/week). Pro rata (34%) costs of contracting the services of a local mid-term evaluation consultant (6
weeks @ US$550/wk) (M&E). Pro rata (33%) costs of contracting the services of a local final evaluation consultant (6 weeks @ US$550/wk) (M&E).
15 Pro rata (35%) costs of Project Coordinator (240 weeks @ US$550/wk) (Component 2) (see Budget Note 4 above for summary of technical functions and outputs).
16
Travel costs (flights, vehicle rental, fuel, daily allowances, accommodation, etc.) associated with: selection and profiling of buffer zones and corridors and their management plans
development under Output 2.1. Travel costs (flights, vehicle rental, fuel, daily allowances, accommodation, etc.) associated with the integration of BD, SLM and SFM objectives into local
development planning under Output 2.2. Travel costs (flights, vehicle rental, fuel, daily allowances, accommodation, etc.) associated with the: selection and profiling of degraded pastures;
preparation of pasture management plans; and restoration and rehabilitation of degraded pastures (Output 2.3). Travel costs (flights, vehicle rental fuel, daily allowances, accommodation,
etc.) associated with the: selection and profiling of degraded forests and their restoration and rehabilitation (Output 2.4). Travel costs (flights, vehicle rental, fuel, daily allowances, rations,
etc.) of the project and partners staff to monitor micro grant activities implementation (Output 2.5). Pro rata (33%) costs of travel and DSA for local partners to inception workshop (M&E).
17
Institution to identify the boundaries of buffers zones and corridors and to map them as well as develop appropriate management regimes jointly with local stakeholders under Output 2.1
(budgeted @US$13,600). Institution to finalize mapping and description of the targeted pastures providing data for management planning (Output 2.3.) (budgeted @US$19,500). Institution
to conduct support to reforestation and natural forest regeneration activities (Output 2.4.) (budgeted @US$222,000).
18 Procurement of planting material (including seeds and sapling) and growth stimulators for forest restoration works (Output 2.4.). Procure fencing material and tools to conducts reforestation
works (Output 2.4.).
19 Micro grants fund for pasture rehabilitation projects under Output 2.3. Micro grants funds for Sustainable Livelihoods support program under Output 2.5. The grant in this budget will follow
UNDP Micro-Capital Grants’ policy.
95
Budget
reference # Budget Notes
20 Procurement of office equipment for game managers in target areas (Output 2.1.). Procurement of office equipment to assure buffer zones and corridors special land use regime
implementation monitoring (Output 2.1). Procurement of the office hardware for targeted Pasture Committees to deploy E-Pasture Committees Information System (Outputs 2.3.)
21
Procurement of special services to develop and publish different information products in national, regional and local media and social network on buffer zones and corridors special land use
regimes (Output 2.1.). Procurement of special services to develop and publish of different information products in national, regional and local media and social network on integration of BD
conservation, SLM and SFM objectives to local development planning (Output 2.3). Procurement of special services to develop and publish of different information products in national,
regional and local media and social network on rehabilitation of degraded pastures and forests in target areas.(Output 2.3 and 2.4). .
22
Basic training and advanced training on buffer zones and corridors their biodiversity and special land use regimes in Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts (Output 2.1). Basic training on
hunting grounds inventory, management planning in Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts and hunting licensing improvement in Bishkek (Output 2.1). Basic training on hunting grounds
inventory, management planning in Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts and hunting licensing improvement in Bishkek (Output 2.1). Training workshops in target districts and communities
to integrate BD / SLM / SFM objectives to local development planning (Output 2.2.) Regular coordination meetings of pasture management devoted projects (Output 2.2). Training
workshops in target districts and communities to communicate pasture inventory outputs and to develop pasture management plans and other modern pasture management tools (Output
2.3.). Training workshops in target districts and communities to communicate forest pasture inventory outputs and to develop forest pasture management plans (Output 2.3.). Workshops in
target districts and communities to communicate forest restoration plans and results (Output 2.4.). Training workshops in target districts and communities to communicate Micro grant fund
operational procedures as well as micro granting publicity events (Output 2.5.). Pro rata (33%) costs of translation and meeting costs for inception workshop (M&E) Component 2.
23 Pro rata (14%) costs of contracting the services of an international mid-term evaluation consultant under Output 3.3. (8 weeks @ US$3235/wk)/ Pro rata (14%) costs of contracting the
services of an international final evaluation consultant under Output 3.3. (9 weeks @ US$3235/wk)
24
Local professional, technical and scientific expertise for activities under Output 3.1 to develop and implement advanced wildlife related law enforcement training (including scaling-up
initiative on canine-assisted wildlife crime monitoring); to assess the needs and to enhance field-based technical capacity for wildlife law enforcement; to conduct feasibility study for field
toolkits for species identification with field-based DNA analysis and relevance for micro chipping of trophies (total for Output 3.1 of 57 local consultant weeks @US$550/week, and 4 local
consultant weeks @US$500/week). Under Output 3.2 to deploy snow leopard monitoring international standards including practical field monitoring expeditions; to develop snow leopard
monitoring database and adequate database management capacities (total for Output 3.2 of 46 local consultant weeks @US$550/week, and 12 local consultant weeks @US$500/week).
Under Output 3.4 to implement NSLEP activities in priority landscapes; to convert snow leopard monitoring research and monitoring data into educational programs; to update mapping of
snow leopard and prey habitats as well as improvement of ungulates hunting licensing practice (total for Output 3.4 of 32 local consultant weeks @US$550/week, and 40 local consultant
weeks @US$500/week). Pro rata (33%) costs of contracting the services of a local mid-term evaluation consultant (6 weeks @ US$550/wk) (M&E). Pro rata (33%) costs of contracting the
services of a local final evaluation consultant (6 weeks @ US$550/wk) (M&E).
25
Travel costs (flights, vehicle rental, fuel, daily allowances, accommodation, etc.) associated with the: training with hunting department, protected areas, and National Academy of Sciences
staff on snow leopard monitoring reporting of results to national databases (Output 3.2). Travel costs (flights, visas, daily allowances, accommodation, etc.) associated with participation of
Kyrgyzstan representatives in GSLEP events. (Output 3.3)/ Travel costs (Flights vehicle rental, fuel, daily allowances, accommodation, etc.) associated with the implementation of NSSLC:
(Output 3.4.).
26 Procurement of office equipment for snow leopard monitoring database (Output 3.2.).
27 Procurement of special services to develop and publish different information products in national, regional and local media and social network on wildlife protection legal enforcement, snow
leopard monitoring data results, Kyrgyzstan participation in GSLEP events as well as NSLEP implementation progress (Output 3.1., 3.2., 3.3., 3.4.)
28
Training workshop for identified target groups on wildlife protection and identification and prosecution of wildlife crime (Output 3.1.). Workshop to support institutionalization of capacity
development modules into law enforcement agency action plans (Output 3.1.). Workshops to support establishment of cross-sectoral coordination mechanism on the provincial and district
levels (Output 3.1.). Workshop to develop capacities of agencies and research institutions to provide adequate snow leopard monitoring support (Output 3.2). Trainings for protected area
staff (strategically selected, among sites other than Alatai and Kan-Achuu PAs) on snow leopard and prey monitoring. (Output 3.2.). Training for hunting dept., and National Academy of
Sciences on snow leopard and prey international standards of monitoring (Output 3.2.). Workshop to sign special MOUs on monitoring between protected areas, National Academy of
Sciences, and hunting department, relating to snow leopard and prey species, with collaboration with relevant international partner organizations (Output 3.2). Event to sign an international
MOU with a genetic laboratory that has experience and technical capacity to identify snow leopard samples from scats, hair follicles and blood, located in one of the snow leopard range
countries, to have compatible and high quality results of analysis for basic (species-level) genetic monitoring of populations and wildlife crime (Output 3.2.). Snow leopard range countries
Summit (Output 3.3.). Regional sharing conference on snow leopard monitoring (Output 3.3.). Workshops for dissemination of GSLEP best practices in Western Tian Shan region (Output
96
Budget
reference # Budget Notes
3.4.) Workshops / events within NSLEP implementation (3.4.).
29 Pro rata (30%) costs of Project Coordinator (240 weeks @ $550/wk) (Component 4) (see Budget Note 3 above for summary of technical functions and outputs).
30 Travel costs (flights, vehicle rental, fuel, daily allowances, accommodation, etc.) associated with project monitoring trips to project sites.
31 Costs of the PMU office rent.
32 Professional costs of interim and final financial audits.
33 Human resources activities, procurement activities, and financial transactions and administrative and logistical support.
98
B. Forests of Kyrgyzstan
Forest Areas
I Turkestan-Alai V Talas
II Fergana-Alai VI Chui-Kemin
III Fergana-Chatkal VII Issyk-Kul
IV Chatkal VIII Inner Tian Shan
99
Annex 2: Detailed National Context
293. Detailed National Biodiversity Context:
294. The country exhibits a rich diversity of natural resources – species, ecosystems, and landforms.
Covering only 0.13% of the globe’s surface, Kyrgyzstan is home to about 1% of all known species.
Several rare and endangered species of flora and fauna have been included in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz
Republic – 53 species of birds, 26 mammals, 2 amphibians, 8 reptiles, 7 species of fish, 18 arthropods,
and 89 higher plant species. Some species such as dhole (Cuon alpinus), otter (Lutra lutra), goitered
gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), great bustard (Otis tarda L.), and imperial eagle (Аguila heliaca) are
virtually unknown in the country anymore. The wild pomegranate (Punica granatum) is critically
endangered. Rare species such as the grey monitor lizard (Varanus griseus), ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha
struthersii), marbled polecat (Vormella peregusna negans), snow leopard (Uncia uncia), and the Tian
Shan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) remain in an extremely precarious situation. Species such as
the snow leopard (Uncia uncia), Menzbir marmot (Marmota menzbieri), and bar-headed goose (Anser
indicus) are recorded in the national Red Book.
295. The composition of forests, and species variety, are to a great extent determined by climate and
relief. The forests of Kyrgyzstan are predominantly mountain forests. They represent fragile ecosystems,
the management of which requires, apart from the availability of relevant experience and knowledge, the
application of both reasonable and cautious methods. The country is a sparsely wooded area, and forests
are mainly represented by mountain forest ecosystems; about 90% of the forests are located at 700 to
3,200 meters above sea level. As of January 1, 2013, the State Forest Fund had 2,619,675.5 ha of land,
including 870,882.8 ha of forest in protected areas (PAs), and 1,135,526.8 ha of other forested areas, or
5.68% of the total area of the country.59 The forest estate is dominated by spruce and juniper, the latter
reaching elevations of up to 3,200 m. In the dryer and warmer region in the south, forests are composed
of a mix of walnut, maple, apple, cherry, plum, and almond trees. In addition, forests made up of willows,
poplars and various shrubs can be found in valleys along major rivers. Due to their great ecological value,
the unique forests of the Kyrgyz Republic play an important role in the global processes of environmental
control including water regulation and prevention of the adverse effects of climate change.
296. The vegetation of Kyrgyzstan has an extremely complex nature, and its classification continues to
be the subject of discussion. More than 30 vegetation types have been characterized, including: mountain
taiga; lowland forest (Belolesye); meadows and meadow steppe; mesophilic mountain grasses; deciduous
forests and shrublands; tall herbaceous vegetation; habitats with a high and permanent water table in arid
regions (saz); junipers; steppes; xerophilous deciduous eastern Mediterranean forests, woodlands and
shrublands (tugai); semi-savannas; semi-shrubland deserts; vegetation on multicoloured gypseous
denutations; petrophylic vegetation.60 According to recognized authoritative sources, the local flora
contains at least 4,100 species, comprising approximately 850 genera from 140 families, and is
considered one of the richest floras in Central Asia. It includes no less than 70% of the genera and 90% of
the families occurring in Central Asia as a whole.61
297. Kyrgyzstan’s territory differs by its high level of biodiversity concentration not only on
ecosystem but on species level too (see Table 14 below).
Table 14 Species Diversity and Biodiversity Concentration62
Biological Classes
Total in the World Kyrgyz Republic
Number of
species
Number of
species per
1,000 km²
Number of
species
% to the total
number in the
world
Number of
species per
1,000 km²
Mushrooms 100,000 0.67 2,179 2.10 10.58
Lower plants ~50,000 0.33 1,196 2.00 2.01
Higher plants 248,428 1.66 3,969 1.65 20.50
Arthropods 2,300,000 13,40 15,910 0.69 80.30
Clams 200,000 0,40 172 0.09 0.80
59 Inventory data of the Forest Fund, 2013. 60 Kamelin, R.V., 2002. “Brief survey of the vegetation of Kirghizia. Phytogeographical regions of Kirghizia.” In:
Pimenov MG, Kluykov EV, The Umbelliferae of Kirghizia. KMK Scientific Press, Moscow, 3–18. 61 FAO, 2015. Atlas of Endemic and Rare Plants of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek, 2015. ISBN 978-92-5-008866-2. 62 National Statistics Committee, Bishkek, 2014.
100
Fish 33,000 0.06 70 0.21 0.38
Amphibians 6,700 0.04 4 0.06 0.20
Reptiles 9,400 0.06 39 0.41 0.2
Birds 10,530 0.10 396 3.76 1.87
Mammals 5,500 0.02 84 1.53 0.40
298. Adverse impacts of anthropogenic pressure on ecosystems in Kyrgyz Republic have already
resulted in biodiversity loss. The Red List Book of the Kyrgyz Republic bears testament to this (see Table
15).
Table 15 Rare and Endangered Biological Classes of Kyrgyzstan63
Classes Red List of 1985 Red List of 2007
Mammals 13 23
Birds 20 57
Reptiles 3 10
Fish 2 7
Insects 5 5
Mushrooms - 4
Higher plants 65 83
299. National biologists define 20 classes of ecosystems in the Kyrgyz Republic, including the
anthropogenic one. The complex high altitude mountain terrain of Kyrgyzstan in the southern part of the
temperate zone establishes favorable conditions for existence of all main types of natural ecosystems,
starting from deserts and finishing with high altitude mountainous tundra (Table 16).
300. The concentration of diverse ecosystems and landscapes on Kyrgyzstan’s territory, and their
contrast heterogeneity of terrain determine relatively small area of each ecosystem class and separation
into small isolated areas as well as extreme life conditions. All these peculiarities of the mountainous
ecosystems increase their vulnerability. Out of 20 natural ecosystems defined by national researchers only
three can be referred as low disturbed, eight are middle disturbed, two are between middle and strongly
disturbed, and seven are strongly disturbed. Especially strongly disturbed ecosystems are in foot-hill
valleys, middle upland and lower mountain belts, situated on an altitude of up to 1500 – 2000 meters
above sea level. Significant parts of natural ecosystems here are replaced by anthropogenic ecosystems
(arable lands, population settlements, industrial zones, power lines, etc.).
301. Remaining natural ecosystems are exposed to high anthropogenic pressure. Pasture ecosystems
are still not recovered from intensive overgrazing in the second half of 20th century, when grazing limits
here were 5-10 times above carrying capacity. In spite of different levels of disturbance, the major part of
the national territory is occupied by naturally regenerating ecosystems.
Table 16 Ecosystems in Kyrgyzstan and Level of Disturbance of Their Natural Condition64
Classes of Ecosystems Area, km² Disturbance
Strong Middle Weak
Spruce and spruce-pine forests 3,017.00 Х Х
Juniper forests and light forests 2,548.32 Х
Small-leafed forests 1,040.64 Х Х
Nut-forests 928.75 Х
Broad-leafed forest 83.67 Х Х
Pistachio and almond forests 458.47 Х
Mid-mountain deciduous shrubland 3,871.96 Х
Cryophyte (high altitude) deserts 1,953.44 Х
Cryophyte (Alpine) meadows 17,263.49 Х
Cryophyte (high altitude) steppes 22,474.57 Х
Sub-Alpine meadows 13,207.99 Х
Mid-mountain deserts 1,384.34 Х
Mid-mountain steppes 24,803.53 Х
63 Red Data List of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, SAEPF, 2007. 64 Fourth National Report on Conservation of Biodiversity of the Kyrgyz Republic, SEPF, UNDP, Bishkek, 2008.
101
Classes of Ecosystems Area, km² Disturbance
Strong Middle Weak
Mid-mountain meadows 8,898.19 Х
Mid-mountain savannah 2,361.89 Х
Sparse growth of trees of mid-mountains 231.51 Х
Low upland and foot-hill steppes 192.70 Х
Low upland deserts 5,571.61 Х
Water-paludal** 8,086.02 Х Х
Anthropogenic * 32,111.71
Glaciers and snowfields 5,773.74
Nival-subnival 13,909.04
Rocks, slide-rocks and placers 9,150.67
Total 178,313.38
* Anthropogenic ecosystems are not evaluated as well as based on detection they are 100% under affected as
natural.
** All kind of comparable areas have different level preservation.
302. Distribution of the Red List species among the ecosystems type is presented below in Table 17.
Table 17 Distribution of Red List Species by Ecosystem*65
Ecosystems
Number of species
Plants and
Fungi Arthropods Fish
Amphibians
and reptiles Birds Mammals Total
Forest 20 10 9 3 42
Dumetosous 14 2 2 4 22
Meadow 14 4 1 6 5 40
Steppe 13 10 7 14 7 51
Savanna 22 2 5 27
Desert 30 6 8 6 5 55
Aquatic 2 6 3 23 2 35
* Some of the species inhabit more than one ecosystem and this is why sums in columns may not match with total
amount of species in group.
303. The Western Tian Shan is one of the world’s 200 Priority Ecoregions, and one of 34 recognized
global biodiversity hotspots. The forests of Western Tian Shan have juniper, spruce, maple, nut, fruit, and
tugai forest communities, including fruit and nut wild relatives including the Red Listed critically
endangered Knorring’s Hawthorn (Crataegus knorringiana), the vulnerable wild Siever’s apple (Malus
sieversii) and the endangered Niedzwiedzky apple (Malus niedzwetskyana). The watersheds of the
Western Tian Shan forests supply water for 1/3 of the country and for millions of hectares in the
neighboring states.
304. The Tian Shan Mountains provide ideal habitat for the endangered snow leopard. Snow leopards
are usually found between 3,000 and 5,400 meters above sea level where the environment is harsh and
forbidding, the climate is cold and dry, and the mountain slopes sparsely vegetated with grasses and small
shrubs, providing good cover and clear views to help them sneak up on their prey. These biotopes are
located near grassland and pasture ecosystems used by local communities, which are important elements
defining the overall health of the ecosystems and level of disturbance for the snow leopard. In the
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts alone (the key focus of this project), there are over 0.6 million
hectares of pastures. In Kyrgyzstan on the whole, mountainous pastures cover 40% of the territory,
providing livelihoods for 65% of people.66 Thus, the effectiveness of sustainable pasture management has
a significant effect on poverty levels and sustainable development of rural areas.
305. Social Development: The Kyrgyz Republic’s entire contemporary history has been developing
under the mark of reforms that seem a response to the challenge of modern times. The advancement of
such reforms is inevitable since everything is changing around including economy acquiring its global
65 Fourth National Report on Conservation of Biodiversity of the Kyrgyz Republic, SEPF, UNDP, Bishkek, 2008. 66 National report on the state of the environment in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2006-2011, approved by the Decree of
the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic of August 7, 2012, No. 553.
102
nature, living quality standards more and more based on the human rights aspect, and environment
requiring countries to make its development sustainable.
306. In its independent development history, Kyrgyzstan succeeded to overcome multiple deep shocks,
prevent deeper economy collapse, and save its natural capital and base positions in economy in order to
declare its intent to move to the sustainable development principles.
307. Human being or social development is the center and ultimate goal of such development.
Therefore, the human capital development will remain the Kyrgyzstan’s absolute national priority both at
present and in the long term. It suggests that all the country citizens have an opportunity to obtain good
quality education, maintain their health, buy a home, have decent earnings and live in health friendly
environment using their knowledge and skills. This is the first time that the priority of human
development and human capital is declared as the absolute national priority in development, with each
Kyrgyzstan citizen equally empowered to develop.
308. Meanwhile, the Kyrgyz Republic’s current development background includes global financial
shocks, debt issues, signs of global recession and economic growth slowdown. The capital inflow to
developing countries has dramatically reduced. Many countries’ ratings have been revised towards
decrease. Global trends show growing risks and challenges including global climate changes leading to
food deficit in the population growth context.
309. There was a stable growth trend in government social services financing. In 2008-2012, the
specific weight of government spending grew from 5.2% to 7.1% of GDP for education services, from
2.4% to 3.7% of GDP for health, and from 2.5% to 5.7% of GDP for social welfare and insurance. 67
310. Notwithstanding the measures taken by the Kyrgyz Republic government in 2010 and 2011 to
increase social benefits, financing and income level remains low for the beneficiary category. Average
amount of monthly benefit in 2012 was 565 soms or 13% of the living wage. At the same time, as result
of reforming the compensation system for education and health institutions employees, their average
monthly salary increased two times as average and reached 184.3% and 220.3% of living wage in 2012.
311. During the last five years, the Kyrgyz Republic government was consistently taking steps to
increase pensions. As a result, average pension amount reached 4,208 soms by the end of 2012 and
increased three times comparing to 2008. The ratio of average pension amount to pensioner living wage
increased from 45.7% to 110%. While in 2009, the number of persons of pension age receiving pension
below the pensioner living wage was 452,9 thousand (86.6% of the total number), this figure was only
344 thousand by the end of 2012 (62.2% of the total number).68
312. At the same time, the negative impact of the world financial crisis and socio-political tension
inside the country led to the worsening living quality in general.
313. As of 2012, 38 % of population lives beyond the poverty line, and the poverty level has grown by
6.3 points since 2008, while the poverty depth has remained almost the same reaching 7.7 %. The largest
part of poor population lives in rural areas. Thus, while 2,153 million people lived beyond the poverty
line in 2012 in the country 66 % of them were rural citizens. Livelihood and income of poor families in
rural areas substantially depend on natural resources and environment; therefore the population’s living
standards largely depend on safe and productive environment. Poverty level in mountainous areas is more
than in flat country (51 % against 37.4 % in 2012). Significant regional imbalance remains in poverty
level. The highest poverty level has been noted in Jalal-Abad oblast (55.7%), Osh oblast (51.4%) and
Naryn oblast (39.9%).69
314. Poverty alleviation is directly linked to issues of population’s living quality. One of urgent issues
associated with living quality is that of qualitatively and quantitatively balanced nutrition. The analysis of
staple food consumption per capita in years 1990 through 2011 showed the fall in quality of nutrition.
Thus, while meat and meat products monthly consumption was 3.5 kg per capita in 1990, this figure
decreased to 1.7 kg per month by 2012. Consumption of milk and milk products also significantly
decreased from 20.1 kg per month in 1990 to 6.1 kg by 2012.70
315. 68% of economically active population is young people. The youth unemployment rate varies 8%
to 21% in various age groups. The country’s average monthly wage is $228.2 that is 3-4 times less than in
Russia and Kazakhstan. 500,000 people leave the country each year as labor migrants. According to
informal expert estimates, the figure reaches one million. About 500,000 Kyrgyzstan citizens left the
67 The Kyrgyz Republic Transition to Sustainable Development Program for 2013-2017, approved by Decree of the
Kyrgyz Republic Jogorku Kenesh No. 3694-V of December 18, 2013 68 Ibid. 69 Ibid. 70 Ibid.
103
country for permanent residence and became Russia nationals during the independence period. The
informal economy sector, with its worst working conditions, poor legal and social protection, low
productivity and limited opportunities for working skills development and training, is a serious challenge.
Of the total number of employed, only 25% or 571,600 people are employed in the formal sector while
76% of economically active population are self-employed, including farmers and working migrants.71
316. There is no agency responsible for government regulation of labor protection. This leads to
growing number of workplaces with poor working conditions, injury and occupational rate increase, and
aggravation of employment issues for certain groups such as youth, persons with disabilities (persons
with disabilities), women, etc. At the same time each country’s district has employment services which
directly provide services in the area of labor relationships, unemployed registration and records,
unemployment benefit payment services, professional training for unemployed, as well as services to
applying for international employment. Employment services cooperate with their respective community
employers and update the vacancy bank that offers 50,000 to 70,000 jobs per year. Professional training
for industries staff is provided through the basic vocational education and training system (VET) that
includes 110 vocational schools in all regions. The VET system institutions train 30-32,000 young people
each year.
317. Development of policies, administration in the education sphere and government supervision of
its accessibility are the responsibilities of the Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Education and Science
(MoES) that works directly with more than 3,000 education organizations, kindergartens to universities.
However, administration of basic professional education has been only recently transferred to MoES,
which is still challenging development and implementation of an integral education policy.
318. The Kyrgyzstan’s education system has a developed infrastructure, trained teaching staff (more
than 80% with university degree), and significant education and training traditions. However, all
education levels are facing a number of issues: only 15% percent of children enjoy support of preschool
education institutions. With insufficient attention to children’s early development, it impedes their
socialization and further progress in schooling and life. The key issues of the school level include those
related to education accessibility and quality. Schools location and infrastructure (although in 40
sufficient total number) do not meet in full population needs. According to surveys of international
organizations, the number of school age children permanently or temporarily missing school has reached
approximately 50,000. The education system employs 75,502 teachers, more than 5,000 secondary
vocational education teachers (VET teachers), and 12,000 of university faculty staff.
319. In 2008-2012, the health achievements of Kyrgyzstan were below the expected level. The health
services quality was affected by political instability and frequent change of government that impeded
consistent reform implementation. Population health was also impacted by insufficient attention to
prevention, overall socioeconomic situation in the country, and poverty growth. Other problems included
high staff outflow from the Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Health system to other organizations and
decreasing attractiveness of public service for qualified specialists due to low stimuli and lack of
motivation. The issue of medical staff outflow and uneven distribution conditioned by their high
concentration in town and deficit in rural areas affected the accessibility and quality of medical
assistance, particularly for vulnerable groups in remote rural communities. Furthermore, the specialist
training system fails to meet health practice needs and up-to-date international standards.
320. The country has improved its infant and child mortality rates and retained their further decrease
trends. Thus, the infant mortality rate decreased 27.1 to 21.1 cases per 1,000 live births within the period
2008 through 2011, and the child mortality rate from 31.5 to 24.5 cases per 1,000 live births72 within the
same period. The country has a well-established immunization system with timely child immunization
against all major vaccine administered diseases.
321. The Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Labor and Social Development employs about 1,500 people
including 70% in local divisions. During the last few years, the ministry implemented various structural
reforms contributing to the human resource capacity instability. Currently, there is a serious challenge of
establishing a modern social protection system including system of staff professional development and
retraining, introduction of performance indicators, and material incentives and motivation for workers.
322. In 2011, the number of children under 16 living in poverty reached 13.2% of the country’s total
population. One of the social protection instruments designed for reducing the gap in incomes of poorest
71 Ibid. 72 The Kyrgyz Republic Transition to Sustainable Development Program for 2013-2017, approved by Decree of the
Kyrgyz Republic Jogorku Kenesh No. 3694-V of December 18, 2013.
104
families with children to the minimum living wage level is the monthly benefit for low-income families
with children. Currently, this benefit is provided for more than 340,000 children. Notwithstanding annual
increase of the benefit amount (minimum wage was raised to 580 soms in November 2012), the benefit
growth rate remains low only covering the inflation rate, with the benefit amount reaching 16 % of
child’s minimum living wage and 43.3% of extreme poverty line.73
323. About 11,000 children are placed in 117 government, municipal, and private residential
institutions, where 80% of such children have one or both parents. Due to significant economic problems,
the country has 55 restricted family support social services. Family substitution services that foster
families are almost absent.
324. Positive outcomes of the implemented national culture policy include preservation of the
country’s network of cultural institutions and prevention of cultural facilities privatization. The country
has 20 professional theatres, 3 philharmonics, 1,055 libraries, 700 fixed club institutions, 72 children
music schools, 3 schools of paining, 11 schools of art, 58 museums, 7 recreation parks, 2 higher
education institutions and 8 secondary special schools. However, almost completely cessation of
museums and libraries funding resulted in extremely difficult situation in main areas of their activities,
particularly in stocking, security and user access. None of the country’s museums has a restoration lab
and appropriate staff. Deficit of professional arts experts and museum specialists leads to lack of research,
and the forms of collection management are outdated.
325. The country has 583 registered monuments of national significance, and the UNESCO World
Heritage List includes one of them, the sacred mountain of Sulaiman-Too. Files of three monuments in
Chui valley were accepted in 2013 for consideration within the Silk Road transnational world heritage
nomination, in cooperation with Kazakhstan and China.
326. Policy makers chose to base the country’s development strategies on a market economy within a
democratic political system. The Kyrgyz Republic quickly became a model country in the eyes of the
international community, embarking on a transition toward democracy, with free market orientation and
economic liberalization as its stated policy objectives. The government carried out a number of reforms in
the early 1990s, including plenty of laws and decrees, new institutions, and an ambitious privatization
program. By 1994, nearly all services—82% of the assets of trading companies, 40% of assets in
industry, and 68% of construction business assets—were registered to private owners.74 These reforms
were not, however, followed by a badly needed restructuring of former state enterprises, because of the
rigidity of the financial system, among other factors. There were further shortcomings in the reforms, in
part because of the relatively limited capacity of local government officials. In the face of these immense
challenges, the disappointing results of some of the reforms, particularly in agriculture, may have
discouraged policy makers from following them up with a second wave of reform measures, which were
needed to ensure sustainability.
327. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, the economy of the Kyrgyz Republic collapsed, with
output almost halved. The first sign of recovery occurred in 1996, when the GDP grew by 7.0%. The
GDP grew again in 1997, when the Kumtor gold mine (i.e., the largest gold mine in the Kyrgyz Republic)
began operations. The Kyrgyz Republic ended its first decade of independence with just two-thirds of its
1991 GDP. Growth during the next decade was highly variable, affected by the global financial crisis and
by the political uprisings of 2005 and 2010. During 2001–2013, the average GDP growth was 4.4%. 75
328. Independence from the former Soviet Union also triggered a significant restructuring of the
economy. Between 1992 and 2013, the manufacturing sector shrank, but the services sector more than
doubled its share of the GDP.
73 Ibid. 74 Asian Development Bank. The Kyrgyz Republic: Strategic assessment of the economy—Promoting inclusive
growth. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Asian Development Bank, 2014. 75 Ibid.
105
Figure 11 Main Sectors' Share of GDP (%)76
329. What had been a predominantly rural economy in the early 1990s, with some specialized mining
and manufacturing, had become an economy specializing in re-exporting consumer goods from China to
Central Asia and the Russian Federation.
330. Commercial gold mining, which started in 1997, is concentrated in one large mine, Kumtor, in
Issyk-Kul Oblast. It contributed an average of 7% (at factor cost) of GDP between 2001 and 2012. Gold
is more important for external trade than for domestic growth, accounting for an average of 34.6% of
exports during 2001–2012, and as much as 43.0% in 2011 because of high gold prices.77
331. Private consumption, trade, including re-export, as well as remittances, investments and, to a
lesser extent, foreign assistance were the main drivers of the national economy growth. It should be also
noted that more than half of the growth came from the expansion of the services sector.
332. In the services sector, transport and communications was the fastest-growing subsector partly
because of the country’s rising volumes of trade, as well as the expansion of mobile telecommunications
during 2006–2013. The rapid growth of mobile telephones ended in 2013 when the subscriptions were
estimated at 6.7 million or 121.5 per 100 inhabitants.78
333. In 2013, growth returned robustly at 10.5%, thanks to the recovery of gold production.
334. Throughout the 2000s, the informal sector played an important role in the Kyrgyz Republic’s
economy; evidence showed that it also grew significantly. And this was partly because of the rapid
increase in border trade with China, certain part of which took place outside official channels.
335. Official government statistics estimated the size of the informal economy in the Kyrgyz Republic,
excluding agriculture, at 19.9% of the GDP in 2012, i.e. more than double the estimate of 8.4% in 1995.79
However, this may not capture the full size and importance of the informal economy, as others estimate it
as 25%–80% of GDP. In a recent survey of 1,200 businesses, 44% of the respondents said that this
shadow economy accounted for more than 50% of the Kyrgyz Republic’s economy.80
336. The reasons for the informal economy’s high share of output include the difficulties of registering
and measuring economic activity and the intentional evasion of taxes and laws that confirmed by the low
confidence to state bodies’ index.
337. Economic growth in the Kyrgyz Republic declined to 3.5% in 2015 from 4.0% in 2014 as slower
expansion in industry offset gains in agriculture and services. Growth is projected to plunge to 1.0% in
2016 as the external environment weakens before recovering to 2.0% in 2017 with some improvement in
the Russian Federation and other trade partners. Currency depreciation is fueling inflation and
exacerbating a debt problem that needs urgent attention.
76 Source: National Statistics Committee. 77 Ibid. 78 Ibid. 79 National Statistics Committee data. 80 Centre for International Private Enterprise. 2011. Priorities and Need for Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic.
106
Table 18 Economic Growth in the Kyrgyz Republic81
Selected economic indicators (%) 2015 2016 Forecast 2017 Forecast
GDP Growth 3.5 1.0 2.0
Inflation 6.5 10.0 8.0
Current Account Balance (share of GDP) -17.0 -17.0 -15.0
338. Economic Performance: Continued recession in the Russian Federation and a slowdown in
neighboring Kazakhstan weighed heavily on the economy. Growth slowed to 3.5% from 4.0% in 2014,
reflecting strong performance in agriculture and services. Outside the troubled gold sector, growth was
4.5%.
339. On the supply side, growth in industry slowed to 1.4% in 2015 from 5.7% in 2014 as gold
production halved and output fell in textiles and electricity. Expansion in construction halved to 13.9%
from 27.1% in 2014 with less growth in investment, and growth in services declined to 3.7% from 4.6%,
reflecting slowdowns in transport and retail trade. Agriculture grew by 6.2% after a 0.5% decline in 2014.
340. On the demand side, private consumption is estimated to have grown by 6.9%, down from 7.7%
in 2014, as currency depreciation and lower remittances hurt retail trade. The same factors slashed capital
investment growth to 8.0% from 24.9%.
341. Economic Prospects: Growth is expected to slow to 1.0% in 2016, with continued weakness in
the external environment, and recover slightly to 2.0% in 2017, assuming some improvement in the
Russian Federation and other trade partners. However, the economy remains vulnerable to shocks from
its largest enterprise, the Kumtor gold mine, where a drop in output cut 1% from growth in 2015 and
disputed mine ownership could disrupt production in 2016.
342. On the supply side, processing, light industry, and to some extent construction should lift the
economy. In addition, accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) may boost trade and
transportation, though demand in the EEU is weakening and the need to raise tariffs to EEU levels may
shrink trade with economies outside the union.
343. On the demand side, lower remittances may further reduce household incomes and private
consumption in 2016, though remittances should eventually rise with recovery in the Russian Federation
and other trade partners.
344. Growth during the 2000s was not employment friendly. The average rate of employment growth,
at about 2%, was slower than the growth rate of the GDP, and the elasticity of employment vis-à-vis GDP
was estimated at 0.57 for 2001–2012. The cost of creating a job, with regard to investment, increased
from 497,000 som during 2001–2005 to 1.8 million som during 2006–2010 (in constant 2010 prices),
indicating a pattern of investment that became less labor-intensive in the latter half of the 2000s. During
2011–2013, investment per job declined to about 1 million som.
345. Despite the slow employment growth, the unemployment rate was steady, at about 8%, from
2000 to 2013. In addition to unemployment, however, underemployment and hidden unemployment have
been widespread, and they drive poverty.
346. The period immediately after the country’s independence saw a significant return migration of
non-Kyrgyz ethnic workers out of the Kyrgyz Republic. By 2000, 618,000 people had left the country,
378,000 of them nationals of the Russian Federation, reducing the Kyrgyz Republic’s human capital.
347. Since 2000, labor migration—which is often temporary—has been associated mainly with
economic incentives, and has involved the ethnic Kyrgyz population and other groups. The most popular
destinations for workers from the Kyrgyz Republic are Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Turkey, and
the United Arab Emirates.
348. There are no accurate and accepted data on external migration. Estimates of the number of
Kyrgyz Republic nationals working abroad vary widely, between 0.5 million and 1.2 million, and even
the highest figure may be an underestimate. The fact that most migrant workers are employed in the gray
economies of their host countries makes monitoring difficult.
349. Kyrgyz Republic nationals working abroad significantly contribute to the country’s economy
through the remittances that they send to their families and friends. Workers’ remittances rose steadily
between 2001 and 2013, except in 2009, both in absolute terms and as a share of GDP. Although some
portion of the remittance is likely saved, remittances boost domestic consumption and investment,
thereby contributing to economic growth. One study estimated that, between 1995 and 2005, $1.00 of
81 Source: Asian Development Outlook 2016.
107
remittances led to an increase of $2.30 in GDP.82 Remittances have also contributed to the rapid decrease
in poverty since 2001, and have mitigated rises in poverty when the domestic economy was unstable.
350. However, migration and remittances can also have negative effects. Dependence on remittances
makes households, and the economy as a whole, vulnerable to fluctuations in the economies of countries
where migrants from the Kyrgyz Republic work. High rates of migration, particularly of skilled workers,
are depleting the human capital of the country.
351. Poverty rose precipitously immediately after the country’s independence, and per capita income
dropped, as the economy collapsed and transfers from the Soviet Union ended. When the Kyrgyz
Republic became independent, its mean per capita income ($1,570) was 54% of that of the former Soviet
Union, with one-third of its population living in poverty (32.9% of population below 75 roubles [$125 at
the 1990 exchange rate] per capita monthly income compared with 11% for the entire former Soviet
Union) with about the same Gini coefficient (0.287) as the rest of the former Soviet Union.83
352. The poverty rate continued rising until 2000, when it reached a peak of 62.6%, despite the revival
of GDP growth from 1997 onward. 84
353. Since 2001, economic growth in the Kyrgyz Republic has been inclusive: poor households have
participated in and benefited from new economic opportunities. As a result, growth was accompanied by
rapid poverty reduction: the portion of the population living at or below the national poverty line dropped
from 56.4% in 2001 to 31.7% in 2008,85 and the poor households’ share of national cash income
remained more or less constant. The rate of poverty reduction during 2001–2008 was above 9% every
year.
354. In 2009, however, the impact of the global financial crisis, particularly on remittances, and the
harsh winter of 2008–2009 stalled progress, staying the poverty rate at 31.7%. In 2010, the poverty rate
increased with the political and ethnic uprising, and the impact of these events, such as the continued
border closures, were still being felt in 2011. The poverty rate, particularly in urban areas, continued to
increase, reaching 36.8% in 2011. Combined with high food prices, the poverty rate further went up to
38.0% in 2012. According to preliminary data, it declined slightly to 37.0%, following 10.5% GDP
growth in 2013.
355. Marked differences in living conditions between urban and rural areas existed before and during
the Soviet era, and persisted until the late 2000s. In 2001, rural poverty stood at 62.3%, compared with
45.4% in urban areas. In the period up to 2008, poverty fell faster in urban areas, although rural areas also
rapidly improved.
356. In 2012, the Kyrgyz Republic had a larger proportion of households below the national poverty
line. In fact, the extreme poverty rate declined very rapidly from 34.0% in 2002 to 5.3% in 2010, further
falling to 2.8% in 2013. About 160,000 people lived in extreme poverty, of which 80% were in rural
areas.86
357. Inequality rose during the first years of the country’s independence, as the more well-off were
able to shield themselves from the worst impacts of the economic collapse. Inequality has continued to
decline since 2001, when the share of the bottom 20% began to rise, albeit slowly. The overall
improvement in the share of the bottom 20% is quite remarkable, considering that it is more common in
developing and transition economies for the richer groups to increase their shares.
358. Gini coefficients, a commonly accepted measure of inequality, indicate that inequality in the
Kyrgyz Republic rose to very high levels immediately after the country’s independence but fell back to a
more normal level by 1998 (0.36). Inequality generally declined after 2005, dropping from 0.27 in 2007
to 0.22 in 2012 when measured by the consumption Gini coefficient. Income distribution measured by the
Gini coefficient based on income improved from 0.446 in 2006 to 0.363 in 2008, but deteriorated again
from 0.371 in 2010 to 0.422 in 2012.
359. Despite relatively high levels of poverty, the Kyrgyz Republic has managed to provide its
population with access to basic services and infrastructure. As a result, the Kyrgyz Republic’s
achievements regarding non-income poverty indicators compare favorably with those of most developing
countries, despite the severe financial and capacity constraints that the country faces. However, a decline
82 S. Aitymbetov. 2006. Emigrant Remittances: Impact on Economic Development of Kyrgyzstan. Working Paper
No. 31. Bishkek: Economic Policy Institutes Network. 83 R. Pomfret. 1999. Living Standards in Central Asia. Paper prepared for the Special Issue of MOCT-MOST
Economic Policy in Transitional Economies. p. 20. 84 National Statistics Committee data. 85 Ibid. 86 Ibid.
108
is evident in some aspects, for example, a lower average years of schooling for youth compared with that
of adults in 2010. In addition, many of these indicators fail to capture the quality of basic services.
Forest Context
360. Forests of Kyrgyzstan furnish important environmental services and serve a critical environment
protection functions, including water and climate regulation, wildlife habitat provision, and disaster risk
reduction. Kyrgyzstan’s forest landscapes encompass a wide range of values, goods and services and
have multiple uses and purposes, which are valuable in different ways for different stakeholders. Forest
landscapes are rich ecosystems, and support livelihoods of local communities in many ways. They
include arable lands suitable for cropping and gardening, grasslands attractive for livestock grazing and
hay making, nut and fruit trees for commercial harvesting, beekeeping, collection of berries, medicinal
plants, and mushrooms. Some picturesque landscapes also attract local and international tourists for
recreation and skiing in winter.
361. More than 200,000 people live directly in the State Forest Fund territory (mainly in the walnut-
fruit belt in the southwest), and more than 2 million people live near forests, and rely on forest resources
to varying degrees for their livelihoods. Non-timber forest product (NTFP) producing forests cover less
than 100,000 ha, but play a crucial role in the life and livelihood of their nearby communities, either for
subsistence products or as a source of additional income. While nut and fruit collection is mainly
undertaken in the south of the country, berries and medicinal herbs are collected everywhere. The poorest
households have little or no livestock and disproportionately depend on NTFPs for subsistence and
additional income. Specifically, in the walnut and kernel value chain, 3,000-6,000 poor people are
estimated to be employed as walnut crackers only in Jalal-Abad Province; 20 small and medium sized
enterprises employ teams of women in processing and grading kernels destined for export; 400-500
collectors and traders sell walnuts during the high season; and 8,000-10,000 individuals are estimated to
be employed in further value addition.87 All forests in Kyrgyzstan are traditionally divided into four major
forest belts.
362. About 109,372 households with a population of 546,862 live near the spruce forests primarily
situated in the western and central parts of the country, mostly in Issyk-Kul, Naryn Provinces and in
Kemin District of Chui Province, as well as in the high areas of the Fergana Valley outskirts. Meanwhile,
1,279,081 individuals (255,816 households) live within or adjacent to walnut-fruit forests in the south,
which occupy the lower mountain slopes at an altitude of roughly 1,300 to 1,800 m. These forests are
made up of naturally growing and human-planted varieties of walnut (Juglans regia), apple (Malus
species), plums (Prunus species), as well as other fruit-bearing tree species. Significant numbers of
people live within and near juniper forests in the southern Kyrgyzstan, but also in other parts of the
country: 109,372 households with a population of 546,862 people. Open juniper stands with rich
pasturelands provide local communes with good opportunities for husbandry development. And finally,
more than 30,000 households of 150,000 individuals live adjacent to riparian forests around the country.88
Table 19 Area of Major Fruit Bearing Forest Species89
NTFP Area (ha)
Walnut trees 35,000
Pistachio trees 33,000
Almond trees 1,600
Apple trees 16,700
Apricot trees 1,000
Cherry / plum trees 400
Hawthorn 2,500
Sea buckthorn bushes 3,600
363. The demand for timber in the country, and especially near forest communities far outstrips supply
and is steadily increasing. During the Soviet period, Kyrgyzstan imported 400-500 thousand m³ of
industrial roundwood and 2 million m³ of firewood annually. This is estimated as the minimal annual
demand for timber and firewood for the country. Currently, timber continues to be primarily imported
87 Kyrgyz Republic. Communities Forests and Pastures. WB, 2015. 88 Kyrgyz Republic. Communities Forests and Pastures. WB, 2015. 89 Department of Forest Ecosystems and Protected Areas of SAEPF.
109
from Russia, at a total official volume of around 67,500 cubic meters annually.90 The dependency on
timber is high, while felling is prohibited and only low volumes of wood (on average 25,000m³, harvested
annually) derived from maintenance/sanitary felling. Occasional evidence of illegal smuggling of timber
into the country suggests an additional 40-50,000m³ of timber is imported each year. This is still five
times less than the estimated annual demand. At the same time, the cost of construction timber at the local
market is high at 10,000-15,000 KGS per m³ (US$ 149-225/m3), which is not affordable for most rural
households. These figures of limited wood supply in combination with the much higher demand, and the
prevalence of wood used in construction and for energy, indicates that illegal logging is quite frequent in
the country. With roughly half the rural population or approximately 1.6 million people under the age of
19, it is evident that the demand for timber, especially for housing construction will only increase.
364. There is a high and growing dependency of the rural population on firewood due to a shortage of
natural gas and the rising cost of electricity. More than one third of houses in Kyrgyzstan rely only on
coal and firewood for heating and cooking.91 However, there are many households, which use more than
one source of heating or cooking, such as electricity in combination with coal/firewood, or gas with
coal/firewood. With the rising cost, as well as a shortage of electricity and gas (especially in the South),
many public institutions such as schools and hospitals have been switching to charcoal/firewood-based
stoves and heating systems.
90 Social and Economic Situation of the Kyrgyz Republic. National Statistics Committee, January – May, 2013. 91 Environment of the Kyrgyzstan 2009-2013. National Statistics Committee. 2014.
110
Annex 3: Local Context
365. Toktogul and Toguz-Toro are two of Jalal-Abad province’s eight districts, but encompass 37.4%
of the area of Jalal-Abad province. Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts cover a significant portion of the
Western Tian Shan in Jalal-Abad province, and are the two districts where Kyrgyzstan’s newest national
parks have been established: Alatai Natural Park and Kan-Achuu Natural Park. The plans for
establishment of these two national parks has in part catalyzed the development of the current project, as
they represent coverage of critical biodiversity areas in Kyrgyzstan, including significant landscapes of
key snow leopard habitat in the Western Tian Shan.
366. While the majority of project field activities related to biodiversity conservation, SLM and SFM
will be focused in these two districts and the two new PAs, the remaining network of PAs in Jalal-Abad
province are critical for securing the biodiversity of the Western Tian Shan. The full network of PAs in
the Western Tian Shan and their buffer zones – and the habitat corridors between them – are particularly
important considering, for example, that the home range of any individual snow leopard is larger than all
but the largest individual PA.
367. Toktogul District (Rayon) was founded in 1926. Geographically the district is located in Ketmen-
Tyube valley on the area of 781,500 ha surrounded by the mountains of Chatkal, Atoinok, Suusamyr, and
Fergana ridges. The territory is mountainous with elevations of 725 m to 4,129 m. Four geomorphic
zones are defined in Ketmen-Tyube mountain soil area: 1) sloping plain; 2) foothill plumes and low
mountains 1500-2000m; 2) middle mountains – 2000-3000m; 4) high altitude -2500-4000m. The
dominant soils are conglomerates, limestone, sandstone, pebbles, gravel, alluvial terrace stones and loam.
A characteristic feature of the district climate is drought in the second half of the summer. The basic
pattern of distribution of vegetation, soils and wildlife is characterized by vertical zones. The boundaries
of vegetation zones coincide with the boundaries of soil areas:
Foothill-low mountain steppe belt. The steppe zone covers the whole territory of foothills and low
mountains within the absolute altitudes from 900-1300 m above sea level. Steppe vegetation covers
the slopes of foothills and low mountains of various exposures, as well as the bottom and the dry
inter-mountain valleys of the foothills. Dominant vegetation is steppe fescue-forb and sagebrush-
grass community. They are dominated by fescue striated, found in large quantities sedge lignocaine,
Kochia, Artemisia, etc. The vegetation of these barrens is low and only in spring it has bright green
color, which is already the middle of summer, becoming yellow-grey. Stony-gravelly slopes of low
mountains are covered with sparse vegetation of sagebrush-grass and fescue-sagebrush type. These
are dry steppe with a predominance of Artemisia, teresken, Kohei, feather grass, fescue, etc. The
characteristic feature of this zone is the extensive development of bushes, which are ubiquitous,
almost completely covering the entire system of hills, with the exception of ravines. Shrubs are
represented mainly by the following species: dog rose, honeysuckle, Spiraea, cotoneaster, ash tree,
and barberry. The soils of this zone vary. At the top of the belt and within the lowlands of the
mountain there is common, brown soil, and in the lower part – light brown soil. The soil is mostly
thin, often stony and gravelly. The structure is lumpy-granular. By the mechanical composition soils
there are stony and clayey.
Mid-mountain forest-meadow-steppe zone. This belt occupies a large area in the range of absolute
height from 1100-1300 to 2000-2200 m. Forest dominant tree species here are walnut and juniper.
The densest forests with a small number of shrubs, well-developed moss and sparse herbaceous cover
grow on steep northern slopes. Juniper forests are unique and have ecological, sanitary-hygienic,
health, and soil conservation value. These forests represent a natural "Botanical garden" with a large
set of tree and shrub species diversity. On the floodplains the stands of ash, birch, poplar and willow
grow, and on terraces and mountain slopes hawthorn. Shrubs are found everywhere – on the slopes of
mountains and among forests. Characteristic species are – cherry shrub, cotoneaster, spiraea,
honeysuckle, wild rose, barberry, aflatunia, abelia, etc. The soils of the forest zone here are mountain
forest black and dark-colored soils. These soils are spread mainly on the slopes of northern
exposition. Forming on steep slopes, mountain-forest soils are usually gravelly and stony.
Subalpine zone. The subalpine belt is located above the forest belt, within altitudes from 2000 to
2500m, sometimes 3000m. With the change of the altitude the forest-meadow-steppe zone gradually
passes into the subalpine zone, characterized by diverse natural conditions. The climate is temperate-
cold and less humid than in the forest belt. The subalpine meadows have rich herbaceous species
composition. The predominant types are: Jerusalem sage, globe-flower, geranium Collina, cuff fluffy,
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blue forget-me-not, Highlander and a number of other medium grass species with large and colorful
flowers. The herbaceous layer is typically dense with the coverage of 80-100%. Soil profiles become
fairly powerful compared to the previous belt. They are better differentiated into horizons and contain
more humus, which is associated with increased activity of microorganisms. The fir and spruce
forests grow here. Depending on the degree of moisture these soils under fir and spruce forests can
have two subtypes: a) dark-colored peaty ordinary in and dry fir and spruce stands; b) dark peaty
leached in more humid fir and spruce stands.
Alpine zone. This belt occupies the most elevated part of the lands with absolute heights of 2500-
3500m. The Alpine zone is widespread, but is not a continuous strip, as in many places covered with
rocks, talus or destroyed by mudflows. Vegetation on Alpine meadows is short-grass. Due to high
altitude and low temperature, the vegetation does not have time to complete a full life cycle within a
short summer season. All the plants are short, and their root system is shallow. Under humid
conditions between hills and floodplains there is a dense continuous cover of sedge, bluegrass purple,
viviparous knotweed, Albert buttercup. Here we have the characteristic of the alpine zone forb -grass
alpine meadows, and in the conditions of high humidity - meadows with predominance of sedges
with a dash of herbs. Large areas of the Alpine zone are cliffs, talus, uncovered by vegetation. Soils
of the Alpine belt are poorly developed. Severe natural (climatic) conditions of this belt are the
reason that the soil formation processes proceed very slowly. Alpine soils are generally thin, weakly
differentiated into horizons, mostly of low humus and gravelly. Low temperatures inhibit the
decomposition of organic residues to humus, resulting in Alpine mountain-meadow semi- peaty soils.
368. There is one city, Toktogul, and 10 rural districts with 44 villages in the district. There are about
443,250 ha of agriculture lands in the district, including 413,600 ha of pasturelands. The area of arable
lands is 17,703 ha including 7,470 ha of irrigated land. The total population of the district in 2014 was
96,215 people, including 49.8% of women, 44% of children and 47% of working age people. Regardless
of growing demography, migration trend is rather disturbing. Up to 71 % of people of working age leave
the district in search for jobs. There are 788 people with disabilities registered in the district. Due to
deficit of arable lands about 40% of population did not receive land parcels during the land reform
conducted in Kyrgyzstan. It determines high poverty level of about 55.7% of poor population. In 2014,
there were 4,532 poor families, who received social aid.
369. In 2014, there were 4,558 people with formal jobs, with the average salary of 8,909 soms ($132),
which marked the jobs growth of 1.74% to the previous year. The official unemployment rate was 2.7%,
424 persons being registered as unemployed.
370. The medical services are provided by one Toktogul district hospital (135 beds) and 3 territorial
hospitals (51 bed in total), district center of family medicine and 16 groups of family doctors, 16 medical
obstetric units, TB dispensary, and district dental clinic.
371. There are 42 schools and 12 kindergartens in the district. About 18,506 pupils study in schools
and 1382 children in kindergartens.
372. Centralized drinking water supply systems cover only 20% of population in the result of 1992
earthquake, which destroy 90% of the water supply systems in the district. People of 43 settlement use
water from open sources.
373. Agriculture is the main sector of the Toktogul district economy. Thus, in 2013 the output of
agriculture production made up 3.8 billion soms, which was 14.7% growth to the previous year. The main
agricultural crops are corn, seeds under the sunflower, potatoes, honey, meat, milk, and grains and
cereals.
374. District industry is represented by flour, salt and brick manufacturing. Thus, in 2013 the volume
of industrial production of the Toktogul district was 19.95 million soms, or in relation to the previous
year increased by 15%. In 2013, the service sector provided services for 141.18 million soms, which is 12
million 176 thousand soms more than in 2012. In 2012, 64 individual houses of about 40 million soms
value were constructed in district, which is 19.6% more than in 2012.
375. According to the special Law “On compensation of loss from hydropower plant construction to
Toktogul District, Jazy-kechuu village and Karakul city of Jalal-Abad Province” about 43 million soms
are transferred annually to the Special Fund of Toktogul District by the Joint Stock Company “National
Electric Stations”, The fund is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and
Melioration to finance different irrigation and melioration systems reconstruction and well as for social
infrastructure development.
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376. Forest cover of the district is quite mosaic, unevenly distributed as per landscapes and mainly
located along inaccessible mountainous ridges. The forest cover of the district is 114,371 ha or 14.4% of
whole territory. Only 35% of it are managed by the leskhoz, the other part is under management of
District authority (6%) and the rest is located on the so called other lands, including local communes
(59%).
377. The Toktogul State Forest Management Unit (Leskhoz) was founded in 1947. Today, it has
the territory of 104,860 ha with and is distributed on six forest ranges. The main office of the leskhoz is in
Toktogul city. The leskhoz administrative structure is summarized in Table 20 below.
Table 20 Administrative Structure of Toktogul Leskhoz92
Forest Range
Area
Office Location
Distance to
the main
Leskhoz
Office
Total Area % of the
Leskhoz
ha % km
Uzun-Akmat 20,330.6 19.4 Kara Kungoi village 70
Alatai 41,243.0 39.3 Akbulak village 55
Usta-Sai 12,316.4 11.7 Chonaryk village 40
Chychkan 22,379.1 21.3 Toktogul city 0
Toktogul 4,712.9 4.5 Toktogul city 0
Ozgorush 3,878.0 3.7 Ogorush village 90
Total 104,860 100
378. During the last documented forest inventory in 2006, the total forest covered area of the leskhoz
was 30,612.8 hectares, or 29% of the Leskhoz territory. The leskhoz had 23 ha of arable land, including
17.5 ha of irrigated arable land. Additionally, it had about 21 ha of hayfields and 39,365.3 ha of
pasturelands. Practically all those lands are leased to local communities dwellers.
379. The total wood stock of the leskhoz forests was estimated as 1,323,062.7 m³ of wood. The
average stock per hectare was 43,2 m³. The largest tree species stock was in Alatai Forest Range -
468,888.4 m³.; the stock of stands in Uzun-Akmat range was 161,491.6 m³; Chychkan – 226,145.7 m³;
Usta Sai – 168,549.8 m³; Ozgorush- 162,936.9 m³; and Toktogul Forest Range – 124,976.9 m³.
380. Among the main forest species, the following are described as in Toktogul Forest Management
Plan: Spruce (Picea tianschanica rupr.); Semenov fir (Abies semenovii fedtsch.); Zarafshan Juniper
(Juniperus serafvschanica), Juniper hemispherical (Juniperus semiglobosa), Turkestan Juniper
(Juniperus turkestanica); Walnut (Juglans regia); Pistachio (Pistacia spec.); three species of apple:
Malus kirgisorum; Malus. sieversii; and Malus niedzwetckiana; three maple trees: Acer turkestanicum,
Acer regelii and Acer semenovi; Ash tree (Fraxinus sogdiana); Birch (Betula turkestanica); Willow (Saliх
sp.); White Poplar (Populus alba); Honeysuckle (Lonicera L.); Rosehip cinnamon (R. cinnamomea L.);
Spirea (Spiraea L.); Cherry shrub (C. fruticosa (Pall.) G.Woron).
381. As per forest ecosystems sanitary conditions the forest of the leskhoz are described as: healthy –
4,980.4 ha; average – 21,138.6 ha; and bad – 4,493.8 ha.
382. As per Forest Code (Article 29 and 30) protection category, there are two types of forest in
Toktogul Leskhoz: 1) protective forests on the area of 89,858 ha or 87% of the leskhoz area and 2) forests
of PA covering 14,901 ha or 14.3% of the Leskhoz. PA forests mainly consist of fir stands of Uzun-
Akmat Forest Sanctuary comprising 5,040 ha of the Uzun-Akmat forest range, 6,667 ha of Alatai forest
range and 3,194 ha of Usta-Sa forest range.
383. Formally, two protected areas already existed in Toktogul District prior to establishment of Alatai
Nature Park. They are Chychkan Zoological (65,551 ha) and Uzun-Ahmat (14,771 ha) Forest Sanctuaries
(Zakazniks). Indeed both exist on the land of Toktogul Leskhoz.
384. Chychkan Zoological (game) Sanctuary established in 197593 is located in Chychkan river basin,
on the territory of the SFF to assure conservation and sustainable use of the fauna and riparian forests
species: willow, juniper, wild rose, hawthorn, ephedra, sea buckthorn, raspberries, black currants and
others. These form the habitat of the diverse fauna species: wolf, white-clawed bear, roe deer, ibex,
92 Toktogul Leskhoz Forest Management Plan, 2006. 93 Resolution of the Minister Council of the KSSR as of November 6, 1975 # 567.
113
rabbit, squirrel, snow cock, pheasant, partridge and others. In the upper mountain ridges area snow
leopard was also observed.
385. Uzun-Akmat Forest Sanctuary, also established in 1975 by the same document, has the objective
to assure conservation of natural Semenov fir stands. Beside the fir some other tree and shrub species
occur there: birch, spruce, poplar, juniper tree, elm, apple, apricot, sea buckthorn, pistachio, barberry,
wild rose, raspberry, black currant, juniper shrub. Typical representatives of fauna there are snow leopard,
ibex, bear, deer, lynx, badger, porcupine, fox, hare, wild boar and others. In 1992, it was increased at the
stake of the Leskhoz forest rages territories.
386. The newly established Alatai State Nature Park has included the lands of Uzun-Akmat Sanctuary.
387. Toguz-Toro District was formed in 1935 and was re-formed in 1966. It is located in Jalal-Abad
Province in the south-western part of the country, its area is 3,965.8 km² and the average altitude is about
2,000 m asl. The area is bordering in the north with Jumgal district, in the east to Aktalaa district of
Naryn Province, in the south – with Suzak district of Jalal-Abad Province and Uzgen district of Osh
Province and in the west with Bazar-Korgon and Toktogul districts of Jalal-Abad Province, too.
388. The relief of the Toguz-Toro District is presented by intermountain valleys, low-mountain,
middle and high types of terrain. It is formed by the impact of tectonic movements, and then under the
influence of the activities of the rivers and glaciers, which also modified the relief of the district. In the
areas between the lateral tributaries of the Naryn River there are small nameless mountains separating
those river valleys. The valley has an overall bias in the north- west and looks like a huge bowl whose
walls are surrounding mountain ridges. Most valleys are quite narrow and deep with slopes of 70-120°.
Erosion has played a major role in the modeling of the current relief. As a result, the terrain is highly
dissected not only with the river valleys, but also with numerous gorges, dry hollows and small ravines.
The upstream areas of most river valleys are characterized by steep slopes and steep, rugged, rising
steeply hollows filled with large boulders and rocks.
389. Toguz-Toro soil area covers the same name basin, bordering in the north with Kok-Irim Too,
Kavak Too and Moldo Too ridges, in the south with Akshiyrak Too, in the south - west and west with the
Fergana Range. The area is located at the junction of the Southern and Central Kyrgyz Tian - Shan soil
provinces and occupies an intermediate position between them. Here you can meet steppes with umbrella
plants: bearded, prangos, ferrulae, mountain meadows with a alpine buckwheat. The area receives
significantly more moisture and is characterized by positive temperatures of above 10 ° C (3000m).
390. In the intermountain basin at the altitudes of 1300 - 1500 m light - brown soil prevail. In their
profiles, there are some signs typical of southern gray soils: soil fauna forms many cameras and strokes.
The scaly - plastic structure of the uppermost (0 - 3 cm) layer and the foliated – tile structure of - 3 - 10
cm layer - goes then into cloddy - lumpy structure in the subsurface. Large areas area occupied by
chestnut soils, above which there are mountain black soils. In general, the soil cover of the area is
characterized by good water regime, high humus content and nutrients.
391. The district is divided into five administrative-territorial units (rural districts): Atay, Kargalyk,
Kara-Suu, Kok-Irim, and Toguz-Toro. There are 14 settlements in total. Only 3 settlements have clean
drinking water supply systems. The village of Kazarman is the administrative center of the district. The
population of the district is 22,389 people, including 10,990 women (49%) and 11,889 men (51%). There
are 450 people with disabilities, including 184 children registered in the district. There are 918 poor
families, who received social aid.
392. In 2015, there were 10,313 people with formal jobs. The official unemployment rate was 2%, 211
persons being registered as unemployed.
393. There are 14 schools and 12 kindergartens in the district. About 4,368 pupils study in schools and
715 children in kindergartens. There is also one vocational school with 252 students.
394. The medical services are provided by one Toguz-Toro district hospital, four centers of family
medicine and eight medical obstetric units with total capacity of 70 beds. 32 doctors and 293 nurseries
provide medicinal services on the district.
395. Agriculture is the principle sector of the Toguz-Toro district economy. In 2015, the gross regional
product of the district was 2,428,166.7 thousand soms. In the structure of GRP agriculture amounted to
42.7 %, industry - 26.7 %, services - 3.4%, and trade - 27.2 %.
396. The total area of the district agriculture land is 263,056 ha, including 11,258 ha of arable lands
(2,981 ha irrigated), 1,835 ha of hayfields and 249,219 ha of pastures.
397. The main crop species is wheat and barley, potatoes and vegetable are also among cultivated agri-
species. As per district’s statistics, in 2015, among the main agriculture commodities production were:
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4,600 t of grain, 4,200 t of potatoes, and 3,400 t of vegetables. Livestock breeding production in 2015,
included: 2,600 t of meat, 12,600 t of milk.
398. The output of district industrial production in 2015 was mainly delivered by the gold mining
enterprise located in the district, which produced 643,494,500 soms worth production. There are also two
small clothing enterprises in the district with the annual production output of 240,000 soms.
399. The forest cover of the district is of island character. Forest stands are unevenly distributed as per
landscapes and mainly located along mountainous rivers and on the slopes of the mountain ridges. The
forest cover of the district is 46,533 ha or 11.7% of whole territory. Only 18 % of forest cover is managed
by the leskhoz, nearly 7% by the Saimaluu-Tash State Natural Park. The rest 75% of forest cover is
located on the lands of land reserve and so called other lands.
400. Toguz-Toro State Forest Management Unit (Leskhoz) was founded in 1997. It is located in
two administrative districts: Toguz-Toro of Jalal-Abad Province and Aktala district of Naryn Province. It
has the territory of 57,964.0 ha, including 57,356.0 ha of forest lands in Toguz-Toro Districts and 608 ha
of forest lands in Aktala District. The office of the leskhoz is located in Kazarman, which is 150 km from
the provincial center of Jajal-Abad. The territory of the leskhoz is administratively divided into 3 forest
ranges: Beshkol (18,037.1 ha), Kok-Irim (18,103 ha) and Makmal (21,824.6 ha). As per data of 2008
forest inventory, beside forests, the leskhoz has 61 ha of non-irrigated arable land, 147.9 ha of hayfields
and 21,2194.5 ha of pastures. All the forests of the leskhoz play important soil and water protection and
regulation roles. This, soil-protective role of those forests is mainly in the prevention of erosion, which is
high in intensive cattle grazing on some pasture management areas (mainly in Kok-Irim Forest Range).
Water protection and regulating functions of forest vegetation are determined by their ability to regulate
the flow of melt water and rain, turning the surface into the ground flow, which helps to maintain the
level in streams and rivers, prevents flash floods, mudslides and other the disaster risks. As a result all
forests of Toguz-Toro Leskhoz are assigned to protective category. The main specie composition and
wood stock is presented in the Table 21 below.
Table 21 Forest Species, Area, and Stock of Toguz-Toro Leskhoz94
Species Area, ha Stock, m³
Spruce (Picea tianschanica) 2077.1 15,1700.8
Juniper (Juniperus semiglobosa,
turkestanica)
287.8 16,116.8
Poplar (Populus alba) 374.2 23,007.7
Birch (Betula turkestanica) 377.5 24,127.9
Other tree species 14 899.6
Shrubs 6320 47,155.9
Total: 9450.6 263,008.7
401. In 2001, in Toguz-Toro District, the State Nature Park “Saimaluu-Tash” was established along
the upstream of the Kok-Art River with the area of about 32,000 ha. Its conservation objective is aimed to
protect unique natural complexes of the Kok-Art Tract and numerous petroglyphs of high cultural and
historic value. It contains one of the biggest collections of rock pictures not only in Kyrgyzstan and
Central Asia but also in the whole world. About 10,000 stones with pictures have been identified, the
earliest dating back to the third to early second millennia BC, that is to the Eneolithic and Bronze Ages.
402. Saimaluu-Tash is remarkable in that it has been in continuous use as a sacred site by the
populations of Tian Shan and Pre-Ferghana from the third millennium BC until the middle ages, and even
until the present day. It is thus a rich source of knowledge about the everyday life, mentality, history and
culture of the ancient tribes of hunters, cattle breeders and first peasants in Central Asia, about the
development of their spiritual culture, their religious beliefs and their worship of mountains, nature,
totems and solar-cosmic images.
403. The park has three zones of specific conservation regimes: protected area of 9,221.8 ha;
recreation zone of 4,540.9 ha; and reproduction zone of 18,244.5 ha.
94 Toguz-Toro Leskhoz Forest Management Plan, 2008.
115
Annex 4: Profile of the Project Planning Domain
404. The project anticipates working at four administrative and geographic levels:
1) At the national level, supporting development of the enabling framework for biodiversity
conservation and sustainable use, promoting the status of High Conservation Value Forests, and
adoption of international standards for snow leopard monitoring, research and law enforcement.
However, it should be noted here, that the national level planning paradigm has two levels a)
national including national programs and strategies for which development the Government
represented by the Ministry of Economics is responsible and the Parliament is responsible for
approving them, with the President as a final review and signatory official. And the sectoral level,
which is also addressing all-national development agenda aimed at a particular sector. Such kind
of programs are developed by line ministries of agencies review by the Government and then
approved by the Parliament with the Prime Minister as a final signatory official. This patter will
be followed-up by the project to improve enabling frames for HCVF as well as for wild life
corridors with in PA network.
2) At the provincial level, supporting key protected areas in Jalal-Abad Province, the primary
province covering the Western Tian Shan. Those PA and biodiversity conservation objectives
will be duly presented to the authorities to be integrated into the province development strategy.
Forest management units and PAs of the region will be supported through capacity development
activities on HCVF and PA management and monitoring. Provincial level development strategies
are elaborated by the office of the Government Resident Representative in a province and the
local branch of the Ministry of Economy, involving all the districts’ state administrations and
local self governments, development agents and approved by the collegiums of the Province State
Administration. This level will be observed as appropriate and follow-up to incorporate
provisions on BD conservation and SLM and SFM deployment in Jalal-Abad province also
strengthening the status of HCVF and wildlife corridors. The province level department of
SAEPF will be supporting to implement the project activities on this level.
3) At the district level, targeting Toktogul and Toguz-Toro Districts in Jalal-Abad Province. The
planning practice on this level, involve mainly state administration and heads of the self-
government to develop district development plans. Then draft documents are debated and
approved on joint sessions of the District Council of local deputies. The biodiversity
conservation, SLM and SFM objectives will be duly integrated into the districts development
plans. Buffer zones and wildlife corridors will be identified and corresponding regimes will be
developed and also incorporated into the districts development plans. Projected capacity
development activities to address the issues of pasturelands degradation will involve also District
Department of Agriculture Development and the District State administrations, as well as
deputies of the District Council.
4) At the local level, targeting local communities of the adjacent to supported PA territories. Local
Self-Governance bodies, i.e. elected (Rural Council) and executive bodies (Self-Government)
take a lead in the local development planning, including land use, involving several community
based organizations (CBO) with formal designation to manage local natural resource. These are:
o Water Users Associations (WUA), including practically all the farmers as well as local
dwellers dependent of irrigation water for livelihoods. WUA are responsible to manage
on-farm irrigation systems on the level of communes assuring timely and fair distribution
of local water resources and mandatory payment for water transportation to the
communes. They are also responsible to maintain and renovate local irrigation
infrastructure. At the beginning of each irrigation season, WUAs organize a general
assembly of members to develop a seasonal irrigation plan as well as to define the
schedule and payment rate for irrigation services. Weak capacities of the WUA are well
known, and addressed by several international projects.
o Associations of Pasture Users (APA) elect local Pasture committees (PC), which are
responsible for local pastures management assuring equally access to pastures and
maintenance of pasture infrastructure. For this PC debate and fix corresponding pasture
use fee, which in principle cover running costs of PC, land tax and needed investment
into pasture infrastructure (water points, bridges, etc.). Pasture management plans are still
not in place due to low capacities of PCs, which leaders do not have adequate
116
agronomical and management knowledge. They will be targeted by the project to deploy
sustainable pasture management with SFM and biodiversity considerations. They are also
involved to develop regimes for land use in PA wild life corridors and HCVF.
o Other CBOs include Rural Associations of Drinking Water Consumers, Aksakals
Councils, Women Committees, Rural Health Groups, Youth groups, etc. All active CBOs
will be involved into the process of elaboration of the new local development plans
integrating biodiversity, SLM, and SFM objectives.
405. Local Self-Governments and Council of the target communities will be partnered to organize a
participatory planning process involving all the local stakeholders for this. Projected capacity
development activities to address the issues of pasturelands degradation and sustainable HCVF
management will involve local Self-Governments and Council deputies as well as Pasture committees,
farmers and communes as appropriate.
117
Annex 5: Detailed Description of Relevant Legislation and State Programs in Kyrgyzstan
Relevant Legislation in Kyrgyzstan
Law Date of Adoption Description
Land Code 02.06.1999 # 46 Makes provision the ownership, tenure, administration, sustainable
use and rehabilitation of land and the natural resources associated
with that land.
Forest Code 08.07.1999 # 66 Regulates the protection, rehabilitation and sustainable use of
forests, forest species and forest products.
Sets legal frames for rational forest use, protection, conservation
and reproduction, improvement of ecological and resource
capacities and land tenure on the State Forest Fund areas.
Water code 12.01.2005 # 8 Provides the legal framework to support the development and use
of water, and the protection of the national water resources.
Promotes the principles of Integrated Water Resource Management
Law on Environmental
Protection
16.07.1999 # 53 Establishes basic principles of environmental protection and
ensures legal powers in relation to the establishment of
environmental quality, marking of preferentially protected
territories, publicity of rules and procedures of the natural
resources use, establishment of the system of environmental
monitoring and control, and fixing the procedures of disaster
management.
Law on Wildlife
(Fauna)
17.06.1999 # 59 Regulates protection and reproduction as well as rational use of
fauna as important asset of Kyrgyzstan, regulating and stabilizing
biosphere.
Defines what are fauna items and the rights of the state and private
ownership on them, assuring sustainability of populations and
habitat.
Law on the Protection
and Use of Flora
20.06.2001 # 53 Regulates relations on the domain of protection, and reproduction
of flora aimed at rational use of flora species. Describes flora as a
basis for life and activity of Kyrgyz people, which is under special
protection of the state.
Law on Rates of
Payment for Flora and
Fauna Species Use
11.08.2008 # 200 Establishes legal basis for flora and fauna use defined in national
legislative documents. Presents rates for wildlife use applying
baseline payment rates in Annex 1 of the Law.
Describes payment rates for flora use in Annex 2. Authorizes
Government to define payment procedures. Sets revision period for
the payment rates as once in three years
Law on Special
Protected Nature
Areas
03.05.2011 # 18 Provides the legal basis for the planning and management of a
network of special protected nature areas (SPNAs). It makes
provision for different categories of SPNAs in accordance with
their management objectives.
Law on Biosphere
Territories (BT)
09.07.1999 # 48 Defines the concept of BT as plots of terrestrial of aquatic
ecological systems or their combinations, which ensure sustainable
balance of biodiversity, economic development and protection of
correlated cultural values. States that BT has the statute of SPNA
with a special regime of protection and use.
Defines objectives for BT establishment.
Law on Hunting 13.03.2014, # 41 Provides the legal basis for the regulation and control of hunting
activities and the protection of game species.
Regulates conservation, reproduction, and use of hunting resources
and their habitat based on the following pursued principles of
sustainable use of hunting resources following transparency of
information, equal access, and involvement of stakeholders to
decision making.
Law on Environmental
Expertise
16.06.1999 # 54 Provides legal basis for environmental assessment aimed to prevent
adverse impacts of projected economic activities on human health
and environment and to ensure compliance of those activities with
118
Law Date of Adoption Description
the environmental requirements of the country. This law is used
extensively in the ‘development projects’ that could make certain
environmental impacts, including: feasibility study and designs for
construction, reconstruction, development, retrofitting and other
projects irrespective of their estimated cost, origin or type of
ownership, which implementation can make environmental
impacts.
Law on Agriculture
Development
26.05.2009 #166 Identifies 18 main directions for state support from the national and
local budgets, including establishment of finance and credit
infrastructure assuring access to financial an material and technical
resources for agriculture producers; development of production
risks insurance systems; main crops seed breeding; measures to
protection of soil fertility and reduction of degradation; agriculture
production for food security; funding of research on plant and
animal selection; improvement of production, processing, storage
and rational use of food products technologies; education for
agriculture staffing. etc.
Law on Agricultural
Land Administration
11.01.2001 # 4 Regulates legal relations on agricultural lands administration to
assure effective and secure land use. Defines legal status of
agricultural lands. Establishes conditions and procedure for
agricultural land transactions (leasing, exchange, sale and purchase,
mortgage, inheritance and gift). Restricts those who can enjoy the
right of agriculture land ownership to Kyrgyz state, citizens,
cooperatives and legal entities occupied in agribusiness. Prohibits sublease of state agricultural lands.
Law on Pastures 26.01.2009 # 30 Provides the legal framework for the conservation, sustainable use,
tenure rights and administration of pasture lands. Proclaims state
ownership on pasturelands. Makes provision for the establishment
of Pasture User Association (PUAs) to institutionalize communal
grazing, pasture management and rehabilitation. Decentralizes
pastureland management to the community-based level,
authorizing PUAs to develop pasture management and grazing
plans, aimed to sustainable use, conservation and improvement of
pastoral resources use. Considers pasturelands as pastoral
ecosystems.
Law on Agriculture
Lands Soil Fertility
Protection
10.08.2012 # 165 Establishes the basic legal and institutional framework for the
sustainable use of soils; soil conservation; the improvement of soil
fertility; and the prevention of soil degradation. Regulates relations
in the domain of soils protection, fertility, quality keeping and
protection from degradation related to agricultural land tenure,
ownership and disposal. Defines 12 main directions for national
Soil Management Policy:
Law on Peasant Farms
(PF)
03.06.1999 # 47 Makes provision for the establishment individual or family peasant
farms. Sets forth the right of land-shareholders to transfer their land
parcels to others, and to use their land-shares as collateral.
Describes the contents of peasant farms Chart, its rights and
obligations, roles of a peasant farms Head and General Assembly.
Make provisions on available on peasant farms land natural
resource use. Describes peasant farms property rights, taxation, as
well as procedures for reorganization, liquidation and division of
peasant farms.
Law on Local Self-
Governance
15.07.2011 # 101 Establishes principles for organization of local government on the
level of administrative and territorial units of Kyrgyzstan. Defines
the role of local self-governance (LSG) in implementation of the
public authority. Fixes institutional and legal basis for local self-
governance bodies operations. Defines 22 objectives of local
importance for LSG, including environment and agriculture
development matters.
Law on Mountainous
Territories
01.11.2002 # 151 Sets the task to establish socio-economic and judicial basis for
sustainable development of mountainous territories of Kyrgyzstan,
conservation and rational use of natural resources, historical,
119
Law Date of Adoption Description
cultural and architecture heritage.
Provides mountainous population some privileges and incentives.
Relevant State Programs in Kyrgyzstan
State Program Implementation Period Description of environmental aspects
National Strategy for
Sustainable Development
(NSSD)
2013-2017 NSSD Chapter 5 is about Environment Protection for
Sustainable Development. It speaks about “new state
environmental policy” with the following objectives:
- Improvement of environmental legislation and
economic mechanisms for nature use
- Providing environment impact assessment on planned
economic and other development projects;
- Improving the system of accounting and reporting on
environmental pollution;
- Establishing a sustainable system of control and
monitoring of environment protection and rational
nature management to make informed governance
decisions;
- Application of new financial tools to promote green
technologies via green taxes, customs duties, green
procurements, and green investments;
- Rational use of renewable natural resources,
precluding their degradation through the introduction
of monitoring and evaluation indicators of the
environment and ecological safety in the practice of
industry management
- Improving energy efficiency and reduction of losses
especially heat and electrical energy and promotion of
renewable energy sources;
- State support of sectors of economy aimed at creating
"green" jobs.
Programme of Transition to
Sustainable Development
(PTSD)
2013-2017 PTSD Chapter 5 is also devoted to Environmental
Protection. Priority 3 of PTSD – Strengthening of
protected areas and restoration of natural ecosystems in
the context of climate change – is to provide regular
support for the existing system of protected areas. Two
objectives are set under this priority: (i) to expand the PA
system in under-represented habitats by increasing the
coverage of protected areas up to 7% of the national
territory; and (ii) to assure forest resource conservation on
the territory of 5.62% of the national territory.
Priority Directions for
Biodiversity Conservation
2014-2024 Aimed at conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
for sustainable socio-economic development. Defines 4
goals: 1) To incorporate biodiversity conservation into
activities of all state bodies and public organizations by
2020; 2) To reduce pressure on biodiversity and to
stipulate its sustainable use; 3) To improve guarding and
control over ecosystem and species diversity conditions;
4) To increase social significance of biodiversity and
ecosystems services and to increase the benefits received
from them and those from traditional technologies. 13
objectives are defined to achieve these goals within the
period.
National Strategy and Action
Plan for the Conservation of
Snow Leopard
2013 – 2023 The main goal is to prevent the decline of the snow
leopard population in Kyrgyzstan. The Action plan
sets up the activities on snow leopard research and
monitoring, increase of the protected areas for snow
leopard and prey and inclusion of communities to
120
snow leopard and prey conservation process.
National Forest Program 2005 - 2015 The purpose of the program is a gradual increase of
forest cover through reforestation and afforestation,
as well as creating sustainable forest management
and ensuring the transition from forest use to
effectively managing forests in order to preserve and
increase this national wealth. The State strategy for
the development of the forest sector has the
following three goals: (1) Sustainability of forestry
sector; (2) Involving people and communities in joint
forest management; and (3) Improvement of the role
of the state in the forest sector.
Priority Directions for
Climate Change Adaptation
2014-2017 Defines as goal Support of specific activities aimed at
mitigation of climate change negative consequences for
population, country and economy sectors.
Identifies forest and biodiversity as a vulnerable sector
and puts two adaptation objectives for it: 1) Conservation
of Diversity of Flora and Fauna Species and 2) Increasing
forest area
Climate Change Adaptation
Programme and Action Plan
for the Forest and
Biodiversity Sector
2015-2017 Elaborates nationally adopted Adaptation priorities for the
forest and biodiversity sector. Describes climate change
impact of ecosystems. Identify 3 goals for adaptation for
the period: 1) To incorporate the climate change impacts
into protected areas and forest enterprises management
plans and practices and involve forest communities into
activities to strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and
communities; 2) To promote the conservation and
restoration of damaged natural ecosystems to strengthen
their resilience to climate change; 3) To increase the
capacity and awareness of stakeholders of the Forest and
Biodiversity sector on adaptation to climate change. The
Action plan sets up the needed adaptation activities, with
corresponding budget, timeframes and responsible parties.
Priorities of the Kyrgyz
Republic on wetlands
conservation till 2023 and
Action plan on their
implementation for 2013-
2017.
2013-2023 Refers to Ramsar Convention. Defines wetlands
conservation and waterfowl population increase as the
main goal. Identifies the following priorities for this: 1)
intensify research and monitoring of wetlands; 2) improve
legal frames, institutional set up and economic base for
wetland conservation; 3) expansion of PA network to
assure wetlands and water fowl conservation as well as
establishment of ecological corridors for their migration;
4) regulation of mountainous pasture use to reduce its
adverse impact on wetlands; and 5) disseminated
information on wetlands and water fowl of international
importance.
121
Annex 6: Additional Information on Environmental Threats in the Western Tian Shan
406. Land Degradation from Poor Agricultural Practices: Land degradation influences the livelihoods
of rural population while reducing the productivity of agriculture lands, as well as increasing the threat of
natural disasters. It is estimated that 88% of arable land in the country is degraded and prone to
desertification, and more than half of arable land is prone to wind and water erosion. The relatively recent
increase in smallholder farming by formerly nomadic mountain peoples (see Table 7 below) also often
leads to soil degradation and loss of soil fertility, due to inappropriate agricultural practices and
technologies. Good agricultural practices supporting sustainable land management (e.g. crop rotation,
fallow periods, anti-erosion methods) are often difficult to implement in conditions where a great
majority of households manage less than one hectare of land. In addition, the irrigation and drainage
systems from Soviet times are deteriorating, leading to an increase in water logged soils in arable lands
with insufficient natural drainage. This further leads to increases in soil salinity.
Table 7. Agriculture Commodity Producers in Kyrgyzstan (number of entities)95
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Total 331,632 345,113 357,227 383,436 384,871
Including:
State owned enterprises 64 65 60 56 40
Cooperatives 509 556 525 497 513
Including:
Joint-Stock companies 42 44 42 40 38
Collective –peasant farms 93 95 99 100 102
Agriculture cooperatives 374 417 384 357 373
Farmers (privates) 331,059 344,492 356,642 382,883 384,318
407. The complex environmental and economic activity conditions in Kyrgyzstan lead to a complex
situation with soils. According to the data of the State Design Institute on Land Management
“Kyrgyzgiprozem” as of 2011, about 4,272,000 ha were classified as stony soils, saline soils made up
1,332,900 ha and another 650,600 ha were subjected to salinization. Soils water erosion spread out on
5,699,800 ha and 5,789,300 ha were subjected to wind erosion.96 Fertile soils wash out on sloping lands –
which in Kyrgyzstan are more than 90% of the territory. The area of lands with unsatisfactory
ameliorative conditions has increased compared to 1990 by about 20,000 ha. The main reason is the
increase of groundwater level in irrigated lands, which occurred due to progressive failure of the drainage
network associated with a lack of adequate funding for its proper maintenance and operation.97
408. Another issue is soil compaction as a result of repeated passage of heavy machinery during tillage
on arable lands and growing number of cattle instead of traditional sheep on pastures. The density of the
soil in many cases reaches 1.5 – 1.7 g/cm³, which is an unfavorable condition for normal growth and
development of cultivated plants and natural grass. Modern soil conservation techniques such as
minimum or zero tillage are not widely used in Kyrgyzstan. As a result of non-compliance with the
timing of tillage, tillage without taking into account physical maturity leads to the destruction of soil
structure. The loss of agronomic valuable structure is observed everywhere on all soil types in the zone of
intensive agriculture. These data shows that the degradation covers more than half of highly valuable
agricultural lands of Kyrgyzstan.
409. Livestock-Wildlife Disease Transmission: Disease transmission between domestic and wild
animals is another potential problem. Among the known epizootic diseases are foot and mouth disease,
ovine rinderpest, sarcoptic mange, contagious caprinae pleuropneumonia, and others. In Kyrgyzstan so
far major die-offs caused by disease transmission between domestic and wild animals are not known, but
health of wildlife and domestic animals needs to be continuously monitored, especially where wildlife
habitats overlap with pastures used by livestock. Wild animals are sometimes reservoirs or vectors of
diseases in situations with complementary use of pasturelands by livestock and wild animals. Because of
the higher selection pressure wild animals are exposed to, and their lower population densities, cases of
disease transmission from wild to domestic animals under the circumstances of Kyrgyzstan are less likely
95 National Statistics Committee, 2015. 96 Draft Programme of Soils Fertility Conservation and Improvement for 2012-2015. 97 Ibid.
122
than transmissions between domestic animals which are kept in high densities and sometimes transported
over long distances. Presence of wild animals in a landscape used by humans can also pose the risk of
transmission of diseases between wild animals and humans. In Kyrgyzstan this potentially can concerns
rabies (sometimes with domestic animals as vector or caused by handling of killed carnivores) and plague
(from reservoirs in marmot colonies).98
410. Mining Industry Development: Kyrgyzstan is rich in mineral resources and has a developed
mining industry. Most of the resources are located at a relatively high altitude (including copper and gold
mines) and pose a direct threat to vulnerable mountain ecosystems, destroying the habitats of animals and
plants, polluting streams and groundwater. Open mining destroys the vegetation cover and blasting
operations are a significant factor of concern for wildlife, particularly during vulnerable times such as
nesting periods. The increasing economic importance of the mining sector is a potential threat to the
ecosystems of the Western Tian Shan, including potentially impacting the habitats of snow leopard and
their prey. In some cases mining is considered a threat to the integrity of protected areas. For potential
future development of the mining industry there are indications that the government has begun making
decisions affecting protected area management and establishment in relation to mining considerations. An
amendment (Law number 159, August 9th, 2012) to the national Land Code included a new category of
“land for the use of mineral resources”. This includes lands of protected areas, where there are previously
explored mineral deposits. The appearance of this new category of land is not conducive to the
preservation of ecosystems of the snow leopard, but rather creates great conditions for their destruction.
411. As of December 31, 2014 the total number of operational licenses in Kyrgyzstan was 1,347,
including:
As per minerals: gold: 174; metals: 74; non-metallic minerals: 576; coal: 240; oil and gas: 57;
underground water: 226.
As per subsoil’s use activities: Development/extraction: 794; Exploration: 357; Search: 196.99
412. Mineral resources base of the country are present as deposits of precious, nonferrous and rare
metals, non-metallic raw materials, fuel and energy resources of fresh groundwater and thermal mineral
waters. Gold mining is a priority of the mining sector. On the state balance of the Kyrgyz Republic as of
January 1, 2013, 42 gold and complex deposits include the following proven reserves: ore - 166.4 million
tons, and gold - 616.4 tons. In the territory of Western Tian Shan the gold deposits are presented in gold-
bearing sands which are located directly in the beds of rivers, the development of which are cut
floodplain forests, which leads to an imbalance in the environment, land degradation, water-regulating
functions are broken, destroyed river banks.100
413. There about 171 licenses were awarded to private companies for different purposes in Jalal-Abad
Province, including: 103 for development, 35 for exploration and 33 for search. Rock salt deposits are
located in Shamshykal and Toguz-Toro fields. Common salt stock is more than 100 million tons.
Production is carried out by open pit method. In Chatkal rayon there are large deposits of wollastonite
with estimated reserves of 40 million tons, which is a raw material for the production of high-quality
sanitary ware and ceramic products.
414. Transport infrastructure development: Kyrgyzstan has begun construction of the Alternative
North-South Road (see Figure 12 below). It will connect the north and south of Kyrgyzstan in addition to
the existing Bishkek-Osh road. The 433-kilometer alternative road will be built in three phases. Phase 1
(154 km) will connect the villages of Kyzyl Jyldyz and Aral, and the village of Kazarman and the city of
Jalal-Abad in the south. The cost of Phase 1 is $400 million USD. Phase 2 (96 km) will connect Aral and
Kazarman, and will build a 3,700-meter tunnel. The cost of Phase 2 is $284 million USD. Phase 3 (183
km) will connect the city of Balykchy at Lake Issyk-Kul and Kyzyl Jyldyz village. The cost of Phase 3 is
$166 million USD.
415. The China Road and Bridge Corporation is the general contractor of the project. In September
2013, at the meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization, the Export-Import Bank of China signed the $400 million loan agreement on Alternative
North-South Road Project in Kyrgyzstan with the Kyrgyz Finance Ministry.
416. Beside improved transport access and better integration of remote now districts of Kochkor,
Jumgal and Toguz-Toro to national economic development, the construction of this Alternative Road will
greatly improve the transport capacity of China exporting goods and materials to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan,
98 Michel, 2015. 99 www.geology.kg, Report of the State Agency on Geology and Mineral Resources on 2014. 100 Environment management plan of Jalalabat oblast, 2011.
123
Kazakhstan and other surrounding countries and even Europe through the land access in Kyrgyzstan, and
have a great and profound significance to further promote the trade contacts between China and
Kyrgyzstan and drive the rapid growth of regional economy.
417. For this construction, which in the first turn is considered to enhance the national transport
security of Kyrgyzstan, about 80 ha from the Kyrgyzstan PA network was sacrificed by designating lands
from the Saimaluu-Tash State Nature Park in the Western Tian Shan. As per evidence of local residents
and PA rangers, the wildlife disturbed by the conducted blast works on the road construction site started
migrating to the more remote quite places, including the new Kan-Achuu Park.
Figure 12 Map of the New Alternative North-South Road (in red) in the Kyrgyz Republic
418. Climate Change: According to climate change experts’ projections, by 2100 in Kyrgyzstan there
is expected an increase of annual temperature in the range 2.5-3.0°C, and an increase in annual
precipitation by 10-15% in comparison with the baseline period 1961-1990. The length of the growing
period is expected to increase by 37 days. At the same time, the lower boundary of forest zones at 600-
1,400 m will shift upward by 150-200 m, and at 1,600-2,600 m will remain the same. In the southwestern
climatic region, zone borders located at altitudes of 1,600-2,400 m will shift upward by 150-200 m, and at
altitudes of 2,400-2,800 m they will not change. The growing season will increase by 18-38 days. 101
Climate change modeling for forest ecosystems indicates that a 1.5°C change in temperature will lead to a
partial change in the distribution of ecologically and economically significant species such as juniper,
spruce and walnut, and a 4°C change will result in a complete displacement of those forests types,
meaning the loss of ecosystem service environmental functions. Average annual temperatures across the
region have already increased since the mid-20th century by 0.5°C in the south to 1.6°C in the north.
Climate change impacts have already been identified, such as melting glaciers in high elevation zones.
Climate change models further predict a loss of between 31-78% of glacier volume in Central Asia,
which will affect the sensitive mountain ecosystems of the Western Tian Shan. The flora and fauna most
vulnerable to global climate change are those that have small ranges and fragile populations, i.e. those
7 O.V. Kolov. Climate change and its impact on the forest ecosystems of the Kyrgyz Republic, KRSU Bulletin No.6,
2003. 8 Priorities for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Kyrgyz Republic until 2017
PA
124
species included into the Red Book, and rare or endemic species with shrinking habitats. According to the
scenario assessments of climate change for Kyrgyzstan developed by L.I.Titova (2002), there will be a
significant shift of the boundaries of natural vegetation belts due to expansion of desert and steppe
ecosystems, including steppe meadow ecosystems. Therefore significant changes in species composition
of the biota are expected. In addition, changes in precipitation patterns are likely to have negative effects
on agriculture, including pastures and agricultural crops that require irrigation.
419. Border Control Activities: The Western Tian Shan is a complex border region involving the
countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The governments of these countries maintain a
strong border presence along their national borders in the Western Tian Shan, which in many cases go in
high-altitude areas, covering snow leopard habitat. This increases the number of border posts and the
number of employees at the borders, who are also involved in illegal hunting. In some cases the
strengthening of borders is achieved by installing barbed wire, which prevents the migration of wild
animals.
125
Annex 7: SAEPF Organogram
State Agency of Environment Protection and Forestry under the Government of the Kyrgyz
Republic
Republic Fund for Environment Protection and Forestry Development and its local
branches
Department of Forest Ecosystems and Specially Protected Areas
Department of Forest and Hunting Inven-tory and Management Planning
Centre on the State Regulation in the Sphere of Environmental Protection and
Security
Directorate of the Issyk-Kul Biosphere Reserve
State natural reserves, state natural parks, pest control station, forest man-
agement units and ranges.
Department of the Rational Use of the Natural Resources
Territorial Departments of SAEPF in
Provinces
126
Annex 8: Ministry of Agriculture, Processing Industry and Melioration Organogram
Minister, Deputies and Permanent Secretary
Secretariat
Internal Audit Unit
Organizational support Unit
Documentation and State Language Service
HR Unit
Financial Unit
Legal support and agriculture enterprises reorganization
Agrarian Policy and Development Programmes Analysis Unit
External Relations and Investments Unit
Department on Land Management Policy
Crop production Unit
Seed production Unit
Organic agriculture sub-unit
Department on Veterinary and Phyto-Sanitary Legal Support
Department on Livestock and Science Policy
Department on Food Security Policy and Agri-marketing
Food security and food quality Unit
Processing industry and agri-marketing Unit
Cooperation development sub-unit Department on Pastures
Department on Water Resources and Melioration
Department on Fishery
Department of chemicals, protection and quarantine of plants
Department on machinery and energy supply
State seed inspection
State pedigree breeding centre
Grain expertise centre
State Centre for plant varieties testing and genetic resources
State Design Institute on Land Management Kyrgyzgiprozem
Kyrgyz AgriBio Centre
Centre for Certification of veterinary medications
Information Marketing Centre Aiylmaalymat
127
Annex 9: Feasibility of the Alternative Livelihoods Program Supported through
Microcredits
Socio-Economic Overview
1. The project plans to implement an alternative livelihoods support scheme under Output 2.5,
utilizing a micro-credit and micro-grant approach. The strategy behind this output is multi-fold.
The project aims to 1. Demonstrate opportunities to reduce pressure on ecosystems by providing
opportunities for local communities to increase incomes without increasing livestock; 2.
Demonstrate sustainable land management and sustainable forest management techniques in
arable, pasture, and forest land; 3. Increase local community awareness and understanding of
critical land and natural resource sustainability issues; and 4. Enhance local stakeholder buy-in
and support for the establishment of protected areas, demonstrating that protected areas can
leverage economic and sustainable development opportunities.
2. The communities targeted are the same as the four aiyl aimaks (a rural district is a municipal unit
with local elf-governments (Aiyl Okmotu - AO) consisting of several villages) targeted for
support to the Pasture Management Committees to improve SLM: Cholpon-Ata and Kyzyl-
Ozgorush in Toktogul District, and Kok-Irim and Atai in Toguz-Toro District. These four
communities have been identified based on their proximity to the newly established SNPs of
Alatai and Kan-Achuu. These four AOs are shown in the main project document in Figures 8 and
Figure 9 (p. 49). Detailed information on the characteristics of these regions is also included in
Annex 3 on Local Context.
AO Area (ha) Rural
Settlements
Women Men Approximate
Location
Cholpon-Ata 141,777 8 3,562 3,802 41°55'40.9"N
72°35'30.6"E
Kyzyl-Ozgorush 67,694 10 5,417 5,526 41°39'02.1"N
73°24'38.5"E
Kok-Irim 54,361 2 1,703 1,782 41°27'19.8"N
73°51'48.4"E
Atai 27,735 3 1,020 1,127 41°20'38.6"N
73°51'23.2"E
3. In Toktogul District approximately 55.7% of the population is considered at the poverty level. In
2014 the average monthly salary in the district was 8,909 soms ($132 dollars). Only
approximately 20% of the population is linked to centralized water supply systems, significantly
as a result of the 1992 earthquake, which destroyed 90% of the water system of the district.
Agriculture is by far the main economic activity in the region, particularly in Cholpon-Ata and
Kyzyl Ozgorush AAs, since industrial activities in the district are concentrated in the main town
of Toktogul. Cholpon-Ata is approximately 45 minutes to the town of Toktogul, while Kyzyl-
Ozgorush is more than an hour from Toktogul town. The village of Cholpon-Ata is approximately
34 km, or 35 minutes by car, from the main road, which also happens to be the main highway to
Bishkek from Jalal-Abad city. The village of Kyzyl Ozgorush is approximately 25km, or 40
minutes by car to the same main highway.
4. In Toguz-Toro District only 3 of the 14 settlements have centralized water supply systems. 918
poor families in the district received social aid, out of the total population of 22,398 people.
Agriculture also plays the major role in economic life in the region, though a higher share of the
region’s economic output (approximately 25% of the regional economic production) can be
considered industrial, as there is a gold mining enterprise in the region. The village of Atai is
128
approximately 3 km, or 5 min by car, from the currently under-construction Osh-Bishkek
Alternative Highway. Atai is also approximately 35 minutes from the largest town in the district,
Kazarman. There is not a village of Kok-Irim in Kok-Irim AO, as the two main villages are
Birdik and Aral. The village of Aral is directly along the main highway, and the village of Birdik
is just across the river; both are approximately 15 km (25 min by car) from the town of
Kazarman.
5. Although all of the targeted AOs are relatively close to major national highways, the general
location of the districts they’re in is still generally in the central southwestern part of the country,
and is it approximately 4-7 hours by car in any direction to reach the major urban areas of
Bishkek, Jalal-Abad, and Osh.
Micro-credit and micro-grant experience in Kyrgyzstan
6. Kyrgyzstan has good national experience implementing micro-credit and micro-finance schemes,
and there are a number of national or sub-national institutions that specialize in providing this
type of finance. Micro-crediting institutions plan an important role in rural development of
Kyrgyzstan. Many of these companies and banks have experience in collaboration with UNDP
for new products, including those oriented to environmental issues and sustainable development;
the currently implemented UNDP-GEF MSP in the Central Tian Shan includes a micro-credit
activity. There are over 110 branches of microcredit institutions in the country, which creates an
important foundation for the sustainable livelihoods component of this project. Micro-credit
institutions in Kyrgyzstan have typically reported good success, with low default rates, especially
among women. Typical micro-credit investments include new farm equipment, etc. However,
there has been some negative attention on micro-credit institutions in the media in Kyrgyzstan in
recent years due to increasing default rates.
7. In addition, the GEF Small Grants Program has been successfully operating in the country for 15
years, since 2001, with almost 300 projects implemented.
Alternative sustainable livelihood options assessed during the PPG phase
Ecotourism and Recreation
A/O Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Cholpon-Ata Excellent location
and local topography
for active adventure
tourism – town sits
below picturesque
cliffs along a river, a
short drive from
mountains and
Alatai SNP. Good
opportunities for
hiking, mountain
biking, horse-riding,
river rafting or
kayaking, bird-
watching, etc.
Local infrastructure
remains
underdeveloped,
little local
experience with
establishing and
managing tourism
businesses,
marketing, location
is 5+ hours from
Bishkek and other
areas of the country
are better known for
tourism; tourism is a
seasonal activity;
currently limited
opportunities for
trophy-hunting
tourism due to
absence of argali
population
Excellent
opportunities to
develop multiple
types of adventure or
eco-tourism; not far
from the main road
and from Toktogul
Town; likely future
location of Alatai
SNP headquarters
office; location near
Toktogul reservoir
also provides the
opportunity for
potential marketing
of multiple types of
water-based tourism,
such as boating,
wind-surfing, kite-
surfing, kayaking,
canoeing, fishing,
etc.; Kyrgyz
Poor roads and other
infrastructure; lack
of capacity for
effective marketing
due to limited access
to internet, media,
etc.
129
Ecotourism and Recreation
A/O Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Community-based
Tourism Association
not active in the
region yet -
Members of
KCBTA typically
earn about $3-5,000
USD per season.
However, for new
destinations, this can
be less.
Kyzyl-Ozgorush Accessible to Kan-
Achuu SNP from
Toktogul district
side, which may be
more logistically
suitable for visitors
rather than traveling
to the more-remote
Toguz-Toro district
side; some potential
for trophy hunting
tourism for ibex
Limited
attractiveness for
tourism
Limited natural
opportunities for
tourism
Poor roads and other
infrastructure,
limited local
capacity for effective
tourism development
and management
Kok-Irim Closest AO to Kan-
Achuu SNP, location
on river, proximity
to new national
highway, nearby
domestic airport in
Kazarman; already-
established
Kazarman local
Community-based
Tourism group
relating to Saimaluu-
Tash; some potential
for trophy hunting
tourism for argali or
ibex in Fergana
ridge
Long distance from
major urban areas
(5-7 hours); region
not known for
tourism
Location along new
national highway is
expected to increase
accessibility and
number of travelers
through the region;
closest AO to new
Kan-Achuu SNP,
therefore any
tourists who want to
visit the SNP will
pass through the
community
Poor roads and other
infrastructure,
limited local
capacity for effective
tourism development
and management
Atai Proximity to new
national highway;
closest AO to
Saimaluu-Tash SNP,
which is a cultural
and natural World
Heritage Site, nearby
domestic airport in
Kazarman; already-
established
Kazarman local
Community-based
Tourism group
relating to Saimaluu-
Long distance from
major urban areas;
region not known for
tourism
Potential to leverage
Saimaluu-Tash SNP
for opportunities
related to
archeological,
historical, cultural,
and religious
tourism, along with
aspects such as
trekking
Poor roads and other
infrastructure
130
Ecotourism and Recreation
A/O Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Tash; some potential
for trophy hunting
tourism for argali or
ibex in Fergana
ridge
Collection of Medicinal Plants and NTFPs (mushrooms, berries, etc.)
A/O Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Cholpon-Ata Good potential for
collection of these
resources, as region
includes a good
amount of forest
areas
Potential for
expansion of local
market for these
products may be
limited; time
required for
collection and
processing may not
be available to
residents whose
main livelihoods are
highly dependent on
agriculture
The district
administrative center
of Toktogul is not
far, and products
could be easily
transported for sale
in the larger
inhabited area
Access to mountain
forests is dependent
on infrastructure,
including bridges
across streams and
rivers that flood in
the spring
Kyzyl-Ozgorush Alpine pasture-based
collection potential
is good
Limited access to
forest areas;
potential for
expansion of local
market for these
products may be
limited; time
required for
collection and
processing may not
be available to
residents whose
main livelihoods are
highly dependent on
agriculture
Larger local
population provides
the opportunity to
access and expand
the local market
Access to raw
materials in alpine
pastures is
dependent on
infrastructure,
including bridges
across streams and
rivers that flood in
the spring
Kok-Irim Alpine pasture-based
collection potential
is good
Limited access to
forest areas;
potential for
expansion of local
market for these
products may be
limited; time
required for
collection and
processing may not
be available to
residents whose
main livelihoods are
highly dependent on
agriculture
Construction of new
national highway
through the region is
expected to provide
the opportunity to
expand local
markets
Access to raw
materials in alpine
pastures is
dependent on
infrastructure,
including bridges
across streams and
rivers that flood in
the spring
Atai Alpine pasture-based
collection potential
Limited access to
forest areas;
Construction of new
national highway
Access to raw
materials in alpine
131
Collection of Medicinal Plants and NTFPs (mushrooms, berries, etc.)
A/O Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
is good potential for
expansion of local
market for these
products may be
limited; time
required for
collection and
processing may not
be available to
residents whose
main livelihoods are
highly dependent on
agriculture
through the region is
expected to provide
the opportunity to
expand local
markets
pastures is
dependent on
infrastructure,
including bridges
across streams and
rivers that flood in
the spring
Beekeeping, plus secondary processing of honey and beeswax products
A/O Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Cholpon-Ata Beekeeping is a
common local
activity and
residents are
generally familiar
with this as an
economic activity
Local market for raw
honey is likely
mostly saturated;
limited potential
additional or
alternative income
generated
Growing tourism
market for processed
honey and beeswax
products,
particularly in larger
urban areas
Climate change and
disease can impact
bee colonies
Kyzyl-Ozgorush Beekeeping is a
common local
activity and
residents are
generally familiar
with this as an
economic activity
Local market for raw
honey is likely
mostly saturated;
limited potential
additional or
alternative income
generated
Growing tourism
market for processed
honey and beeswax
products,
particularly in larger
urban areas
Climate change and
disease can impact
bee colonies
Kok-Irim Beekeeping is a
common local
activity and
residents are
generally familiar
with this as an
economic activity
Local market for raw
honey is likely
mostly saturated;
limited potential
additional or
alternative income
generated
Growing tourism
market for processed
honey and beeswax
products,
particularly in larger
urban areas
Climate change and
disease can impact
bee colonies
Atai Beekeeping is a
common local
activity and
residents are
generally familiar
with this as an
economic activity
Local market for raw
honey is likely
mostly saturated;
limited potential
additional or
alternative income
generated
Growing tourism
market for processed
honey and beeswax
products,
particularly in larger
urban areas
Climate change and
disease can impact
bee colonies
Secondary Processing of Agricultural Products
A/O Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Cholpon-Ata Close to main
highway for
transport to larger
markets
May require larger
investments; limited
availability of some
important
infrastructure and
facilities, such as
There is currently
limited secondary
processing of
agricultural products
(e.g. meat and dairy)
in the region, and
Potential regulatory
and bureaucratic
delays in
establishing small-
scale processing
facilities; local
132
Secondary Processing of Agricultural Products
A/O Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
large-scale
refrigeration;
therefore there are a
variety of
opportunities to
enhance the local
value-chain,
increasing incomes
while limiting the
increase in livestock
in pastures
cultural attitudes and
experience may be
resistant to shifting
to approaches that
are not well-known,
or that deviate from
traditional
agricultural practices
Kyzyl-Ozgorush Close to main
highway for
transport to larger
markets
May require larger
investments; limited
availability of some
important
infrastructure and
facilities, such as
large-scale
refrigeration;
There is currently
limited secondary
processing of
agricultural products
(e.g. meat and dairy)
in the region, and
therefore there are a
variety of
opportunities to
enhance the local
value-chain,
increasing incomes
while limiting the
increase in livestock
in pastures
Potential regulatory
and bureaucratic
delays in
establishing small-
scale processing
facilities; local
cultural attitudes and
experience may be
resistant to shifting
to approaches that
are not well-known,
or that deviate from
traditional
agricultural practices
Kok-Irim Close to main
highway for
transport to larger
markets
May require larger
investments; limited
availability of some
important
infrastructure and
facilities, such as
large-scale
refrigeration; not
fully-reliable power
availability
There is currently
limited secondary
processing of
agricultural products
(e.g. meat and dairy)
in the region, and
therefore there are a
variety of
opportunities to
enhance the local
value-chain,
increasing incomes
while limiting the
increase in livestock
in pastures
Potential regulatory
and bureaucratic
delays in
establishing small-
scale processing
facilities; local
cultural attitudes and
experience may be
resistant to shifting
to approaches that
are not well-known,
or that deviate from
traditional
agricultural practices
Atai Close to main
highway for
transport to larger
markets
May require larger
investments; limited
availability of some
important
infrastructure and
facilities, such as
large-scale
refrigeration; not
fully-reliable power
availability
There is currently
limited secondary
processing of
agricultural products
(e.g. meat and dairy)
in the region, and
therefore there are a
variety of
opportunities to
enhance the local
value-chain,
increasing incomes
while limiting the
increase in livestock
in pastures
Potential regulatory
and bureaucratic
delays in
establishing small-
scale processing
facilities; local
cultural attitudes and
experience may be
resistant to shifting
to approaches that
are not well-known,
or that deviate from
traditional
agricultural practices
133
Shifting to More High-Value and Sustainable Forms of Agriculture
A/O Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Cholpon-Ata Close to main
highway for
transport to larger
markets
Operational
approach with clear
linkages to
environmental
benefits will need to
be clearly
established
Numerous
investment
opportunities for
higher efficiency
farm equipment, and
other agricultural
capital investments,
such as high quality
seeds, etc.
Introducing new
agricultural
approaches often
carries higher risk
than established
practices; local
cultural attitudes and
experience may be
resistant to shifting
to approaches that
are not well-known,
or that deviate from
traditional
agricultural practices
Kyzyl-Ozgorush Close to main
highway for
transport to larger
markets
Operational
approach with clear
linkages to
environmental
benefits will need to
be clearly
established
Numerous
investment
opportunities for
higher efficiency
farm equipment, and
other agricultural
capital investments,
such as high quality
seeds, etc.
Introducing new
agricultural
approaches often
carries higher risk
than established
practices; local
cultural attitudes and
experience may be
resistant to shifting
to approaches that
are not well-known,
or that deviate from
traditional
agricultural practices
Kok-Irim Close to main
highway for
transport to larger
markets
Operational
approach with clear
linkages to
environmental
benefits will need to
be clearly
established
Numerous
investment
opportunities for
higher efficiency
farm equipment, and
other agricultural
capital investments,
such as high quality
seeds, etc.
Introducing new
agricultural
approaches often
carries higher risk
than established
practices; local
cultural attitudes and
experience may be
resistant to shifting
to approaches that
are not well-known,
or that deviate from
traditional
agricultural practices
Atai Close to main
highway for
transport to larger
markets
Operational
approach with clear
linkages to
environmental
benefits will need to
be clearly
established
Numerous
investment
opportunities for
higher efficiency
farm equipment, and
other agricultural
capital investments,
such as high quality
seeds, etc.
Introducing new
agricultural
approaches often
carries higher risk
than established
practices; local
cultural attitudes and
experience may be
resistant to shifting
to approaches that
134
Shifting to More High-Value and Sustainable Forms of Agriculture
A/O Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
are not well-known,
or that deviate from
traditional
agricultural practices
Operational Approach
8. The project will work in partnership with the AOs to solicit proposals from the community
members for promising micro-credit / micro-grant proposals that have the opportunity to provide
economic and biodiversity or SLM/SFM benefits. Upon start-up the project will immediately
develop an information and application package, drawing on best practices of the GEF SGP, other
UNDP-GEF projects, and based on lessons and experience from other micro-crediting initiatives
in the country. The project’s local coordinator will make at least one presentation in each AO to
the community about the criteria for the scheme, and will follow-up with all interested individuals
to ensure sufficient number and quality of applications. The project will establish a selection
committee, with appropriately representative membership; review of applications for a particular
AO will not include representatives from that AO, to avoid any conflict of interest.
9. Administration of the scheme will be part of the normal project management undertaken by
project staff, and will not require additional salaries or expenses (other than minor accounting or
bookkeeping expenses). In Toktogul the project has the opportunity to cooperate with the already
existing local development fund, tied to the hydropower reimbursements.
10. Loans or grants will be given in the range of $1,000 - $5,000 USD. The project currently budgets
$50,000 per AO, implying approximately 10-30 micro-projects per A/O, depending on the
average size awarded.
11. The alternative livelihoods development fund is seen as a sinking fund, and is not anticipated to
be self-sustaining, though if a partial micro-credit approach is taken the life of the fund may be
extended.
Risks and Challenges to the Micro-Credit / Micro-Grant Activity
12. Working with existing micro-credit institutions will have some risks. Typically these types of
schemes in many GEF projects have faced some challenges with absorption capacity of the local
stakeholders within the timeframe of the project. Depending on the exact funding modality
chosen, micro-credit institutions may require a fee of 10% for their services in administration of
grants. Alternatively, current interest rates for micro-finance schemes in the country are high, at
10-30+%.
13. Based on further discussions with the micro-credit institutions the project will determine the
lowest-risk financial model to be used.
135
Annex 10: Capacity Needs Assessment Summary
420. The capacity needs have been assessed to identify performance requirements and the knowledge,
skills, and abilities needed by protected areas in pilot districts and Jalal-Abad province and other actors
workforce to achieve the overall goal of conservation of globally significant biodiversity and promotion
of the sustainable livelihood.
421. Analysis of the reports, management effectiveness of protected areas and interviews with
protected areas staff, game managers, foresters, land users and other stakeholders, including law
enforcement bodies and academia has determined the certain level of gaps between performance required
and current performance in terms of biodiversity conservation.
422. A range of existing capacity development interventions have been undertaken within Kyrgyzstan
aiming to build institutions and human capacity which offer both lessons and opportunities for the
conservation sector. Substantial capacity development commitments have already been made by the
UNDP in relation to the biodiversity conservation and a range of other commitments for capacity
development continue to be provided by other development partners. Despite these initiatives, the
capacity development needs for the sector are still significant and multi-faceted and significant resources
will need to meet these needs.
423. A capacity needs assessment was undertaken within the PPG stage of the project “Conservation
of globally important biodiversity and associated land and forest resources of Western Tian Shan
mountain ecosystems to support sustainable livelihoods.” Capacity development has been considered
from the perspective of human capital, institutional capacity and the enabling environment (Table below).
424. The findings from the capacity development needs assessment will be used to develop training
programs during the implementation stage.
Capacity assets and challenges / gaps
425. This assessment identifies a number of examples of existing capacity assets of the
conservation/forest/pasture/wildlife law enforcement sectors:
- Human resources in the government and local authorities, NGOs and scientific institutions and in
the private sector - often working with limited resources and in difficult and logistically
challenging circumstances;
- Increasing support for the proposed project within governmental institutions (examples being the
budget allocated by the SAEPF to the new PAs infrastructure;
- Using modern wildlife monitoring techniques at national level;
- Increasing focus on developing training programs with courses relevant to the conservation sector
for different range of stakeholders (WWF, Panthera, FFI, NABU);
- The range of sector stakeholders interested to collaborate to improve the biodiversity and
livelihood across country including NGOs (local and international), the private sector and donors;
- Examples of some partners having committed to support BD/SFM/SLM (such as IFAD, GIZ,
WB, FAO and NGOs community).
426. This assessment also finds examples of capacity challenges and gaps including:
- Inadequate staff numbers at national level, posing challenges for supervision and support of sub-
national staff and challenges to succession of staff.
- Inadequate numbers of staff at local level, with limited office and logistic facilities.
- Low capacity for PAs management and information systems on PAs.
- Low salaries, weak HR systems and lack of monitoring job performance of within the state
institutions posing challenges for motivation.
136
- Decrease in number of scientific staff of PAs at province level;
- Challenges for PAs and leskhozes staff to access computers and the internet;
- Limited knowledge on financial planning and sustainability of PAs and limited attention and
resources allocated for PAs promotion.
- There has been no clear strategic approach to the building of a strong capacity for PAs
management.
- Lack of knowledge on forest certification system;
- Limited knowledge of sustainable practice of pasture management on the local level and impact
on wildlife;
- Lack of coordination of wildlife conservancy-related initiatives in country and using incompatible
methods of monitoring.
- Weak inter-sectoral communication on wildlife crime.
- Poor understanding the concept of Ecosystem services and their contribution to the local
development.
- Tertiary and vocational education and training institutions facing difficulties in recruiting and
retaining qualified faculty and instructors.
- Environmental sciences is much undervalued as a profession, leading to limited priority for
budget allocation and the difficulty to attract the best students on to its courses.
Target groups
427. The key groups to be included into the capacity building program are the following:
1. Two newly established nature parks “Alatai” and Kan-Achuu” staff
2. Protected areas staff of Jalal-Abad province
3. Forest enterprises (leskhozes) of two pilot districts Toktogul and Toguz-Toro
4. Forest enterprises (leskhozes) of Jalal-Abad province
5. Department of Forest Ecosystems and PA of State Agency of Environment Protection and
Forestry
6. Department of Rational Use of Natural Resources of districts and its local representatives in
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro
7. District State Administration and self-governing authorities
8. Representatives of private, public and community-based hunting organizations of two districts
9. Local communities of pilot ayl aimaks involved into joint patrolling
10. Pasture committees
11. Wildlife conservancy NGOs
12. Law enforcement bodies (custom and border services, prosecution)
13. Institute of Biology and Soil of the National Academy of Sciences
14. Universities and schools
137
Capacity Development Needs
Target group Capacity development priorities Notes
Two PAs Alatai
and Kan-Achuu
staff
Human
Training on following thematic aspects:
1) Protected areas management The training
program on protected areas management
based on IUCN principles will focus on
aspects: strategic planning, organization
development, management plan; principles of
the organization of the planning process;
stakeholder participation in the planning
process; formulating goals and objectives of
protected areas based on the criteria SMART;
preparation of operational plans for the
targeted programs; monitoring and evaluation
of the work on the implementation of the
management plan; communication strategy
and others topics.
2) Financial planning and implementing a
strategy for increasing the financial income
(business plans) of the PAs
3) Biodiversity monitoring. Together with
Academy of sciences the training programme
for the PAs staff will be developed on the
indicators of biodiversity development, the
chronicles of nature, the survey of wildlife
using the modern devices and wildlife and
PAs database management
4) Law enforcement (legislation, law
enforcement techniques, wildlife crime
investigation, judicial systems, prosecution,
and application of equipment for the
registration of crimes)
Institutional
1) Development of Management plans,
including business plan
2) Development of biodiversity monitoring plan,
initiation of Chronicles of Nature
3) Provision of inventory of BD and mapping
4) Development of information PAs database
5) Technical infrastructure development
6) PR communication strategy
7) Annual plan of joint patrolling
8) Analyze the regional management plans of
the pilot districts, communities and forestries
plans to implement Biodiversity
Conservation, Sustainable Land Management
and Sustainable Forest Management issues
9) Revised hunting policies of prey at national
level.
4 training during 4 years
138
Target group Capacity development priorities Notes
Enabling environment
1) Establishment of Public Management Boards
2) Agreements on joint patrolling,
3) Agreements on pasture regimes and
ecological corridors
4) Amendment on ecological corridors to be
included to the Law on Protected Areas
Leskhozes of
pilot districts
Toktogul and
Toguz-Toro and
whole Western
Tian Shan
Human
Training on following:
1) Joint Forest Management (JFM) and
Voluntary Sustainable Forest Management
(SFM)
2) FSC - HCVF concept and regimes
3) Law enforcement in HCVF (including the
involvement of all interest groups).
Institutional
1) HCVF special regimes to be developed
2) Analyzed regional management plans of the
pilot districts, communities and forestries
plans to implement Biodiversity
Conservation, Sustainable Land Management
and Sustainable Forest Management issues
3) Training on SFM, SLM, and BD conservation
issues
Enabling environment
1) JFM Boards in Leskhozes of pilot districts
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro
2) Revised legislation frameworks for HCVF
integration
3) HCVF integrated into Forest management
plans
Western Tian
Shan PAs in
Jalal-Abad
Province
Human
1) Workshop on implementation the National
Priorities on Biodiversity Conservation
Action Plan, National Strategy of Snow
Leopard Conservation, including the topics of
conflict management and communities'
involvement
2) Upgrade the experience in Financial
planning, budget management, financial
monitoring, controlling and reporting to
increase the revenue of PAs (BioFin) and
knowledge management
3) Training on management plans based on
METT, application of participatory planning
approaches and community inclusion to PAs
management
4) Technical training on collecting, processing
139
Target group Capacity development priorities Notes
and managing the field data and providing
the unified data to the national information
system on PAs
5) Training on communication strategy
development, public relations, informational
campaigning, public outreach
6) Workshop on Integration a separate section
on snow leopard and its prey conservation in
other WTS PAs management plans, including
the buffer-quite zones and corridors, as well
as changes in their pasture management
practices.
7) Workshops in WTS PAs to improve the
system of patrolling, law enforcement and
surveillance systems through the
establishment of PAs' Public Management
Boards, including all the stakeholders, and
regularly information sharing with
communities
8) Exchange visits of WTS PAs staff to another
regions
Institutional
1) Establishment of informational system on
PAs
2) Provision of manuals, guidelines for the
management plans development
3) Revised management plans including the
business plans and single species
conservation plans (snow leopard an prey)
4) Established the pool of internal trainers on
PA management
5) Revised hunting policies of prey at national
level.
Enabling environment
1) Improve enabling framework for the
biodiversity conservation and sustainable use,
including PA system management.
2) Advocacy for fund allocation for PAs and
development of financing mechanism for the
PAs sustainability
Department of
Forest Ecosystem
and SPAs
Human
1) Develop capacities of the Department on
Forest Ecosystems to manage the data of a
unified national information system on
Protected Areas
2) Workshop on impact of climate change on
key species of biodiversity in Western Tian-
Shan
3) All training referred to leskhozes:
a. Joint Forest Management (JFM) and
Link to UNDP Rio
Conventions project and
National Academy of Sciences
140
Target group Capacity development priorities Notes
Voluntary Sustainable Forest
Management (SFM)
b. FSC - HCVF concept and regimes
c. Law enforcement in HCVF
Institutional
1) Informational system on Protected areas to be
established
2) HCVF special regimes to be developed
3) Updated mapping of snow leopard range and
other factors at national level, based on a
digital map of snow leopard habitat in
Kyrgyzstan, with annotated recommendations
for land use regimes in key areas of
importance for snow leopard
Enabling environment
1) Revised legislation frameworks for HCVF
integration
2) HCVF integrated into Forest management
plans
Department of
Rational Use of
Natural
Resources and
representatives at
local level
Human
1) Provide training on snow leopard and prey
international standards of monitoring
2) Provide training on sustainable hunting and
conservancy and revise the management
plans of hunting service providers in Western
Tian Shan taking into account protected areas
and land use in buffer zones and corridors.
3) Training on the best patrol practices, law
enforcement, publicity of violations and
community involvement on the national
workshop
Institutional
1) Updated mapping of snow leopard range and
other factors at national level, based on a
digital map of snow leopard habitat in
Kyrgyzstan, with annotated recommendations
for land use regimes in key areas of
importance for snow leopard
2) Establish joint patrolling groups, develop
their working plans and organize the joint
patrol raids
3) Conduct the hunting grounds inventory and
management planning in the targeted
districts.
4) Develop and implement special hunting
regimes for the buffer-quiet areas and
wildlife corridors outside PAs in cooperation
141
Target group Capacity development priorities Notes
with local hunting grounds users and hunters
5) Create and maintain an electronic database of
hunters with tracking of violators.
6) Analyze the compliance of the new regimes
with hunting licensing practice regarding
ungulates to assure the sufficient population
of the Snow Leopard prey and propose to
improve this practice.
7) Updated mapping of snow leopard range and
other factors at national level, based on a
digital map of snow leopard habitat in
Kyrgyzstan, with annotated recommendations
for land use regimes in key areas of
importance for snow leopard
Enabling environment
1) Work on hunting policies of prey at national
level – linked with previous activities in
component 2 about influencing hunting lease
policies, policies on hunting of Red List
species, etc.
2) Clarification on roles and responsibilities of
different actors at local level plus co-
ordination mechanisms
3) Formalize cooperation of PAs with owners of
hunting grounds for joint patrolling,
monitoring and the exchange of data on
biodiversity
4) Stimulate rangers and other field staff to
identify poaching and illegal use of natural
resources cases.
5) Integrate the concepts “buffer-quiet zones”
and “ecological corridors” in the land,
forestry, hunting and biodiversity
conservation legislation
6) Conclude agreements with the relevant
stakeholders on the buffer zones and
corridors regimes compliance.
Local self-
governments
Human
1) Workshops on sustainable development
planning with consideration of BD, SLM,
SFM aspects
2) Training on Buffer zones and corridors land
use regimes.
3) Training on value of ecosystem services for
the local development
Institutional
1) Organize and support the work of new parks'
Public Management Boards with the
142
Target group Capacity development priorities Notes
inclusion of all local stakeholders to develop
and implement their working plans
2) Analyze the regional management plans of
the pilot districts, communities and forestries
plans to implement Biodiversity
Conservation, Sustainable Land Management
and Sustainable Forest Management issues.
3) Develop the program and train on SFM,
SLM, and BD Conservation issues the
representatives of the District State
Administration, self-governing authorities,
pasture committees, forestries of the private
sector and NGOs in the target areas.
4) Create the working groups for the integration
of these issues into development plans.
5) Updated mapping of snow leopard range and
other factors at national level, based on a
digital map of snow leopard habitat in
Kyrgyzstan, with annotated recommendations
for land use regimes in key areas of
importance for snow leopard
Enabling environment
1) Clarification on roles and responsibilities of
different actors at district and local levels plus
co-ordination mechanisms
2) Support for establishing a formal agreement
on the collaboration between the PAs,
foresters, and pasture users including roles
and responsibilities as well as the
establishment of co-ordination mechanisms at
local level.
3) Support for integrating biodiversity into
development planning
Pasture
committees of
Toktogul and
Toguz-Toro
districts
Human
1) Develop WTS PAs capacities to integrate
wild ungulates considerations into the pasture
management plans of adjacent communities
2) Raise awareness of all the stakeholders the
special land use regimes of the buffer zones
and corridors.
3) Technical training on using informational
tool for pasture management (Electronic
Pasture Committee).
Institutional
1) Identification of "buffer-quiet" zones and
corridors for the pilot and other protected
areas in Western Tian-Shan (maps and buffer
zones' management regimes and agreement
143
Target group Capacity development priorities Notes
on borders with relevant self-governments,
leskhozes and hunting grounds owners and
users, State Registration Service).
2) Conduct inventory assessment of the
biodiversity of the buffer- quiet zones and
corridors in the areas outside the PAs with
the potential sustainable non-timber forest
products use.
3) Carry out joint raids to monitor the
compliance of the buffer zones and corridors
regimes.
4) Analyze the regional management plans of
the pilot districts, communities and forestries
plans to implement Biodiversity
Conservation, Sustainable Land Management
and Sustainable Forest Management issues.
5) Create the working groups for the integration
of these issues into development plans.
6) Implement in Pasture Committees modern
information system - Electronic Zhayyt
Committee (Electronic Pasture Committee).
7) Conduct an inventory of forest pastures and
develop management plans for forest pastures
and grazing in the pilot leskhozes and present
the results at the national workshop
8) Carry out geo-botanic and economic analysis
and analysis of ecosystem services and
opportunities of reforestation in the Western
Tian Shan.
9) Updated mapping of snow leopard range and
other factors at national level, based on a
digital map of snow leopard habitat in
Kyrgyzstan, with annotated recommendations
for land use regimes in key areas of
importance for snow leopard
Enabling environment
1) Integrate the concepts
“buffer-quiet zones” and “ecological
corridors” in the land, forestry, hunting and
biodiversity conservation legislation
2) Conclude agreements
with the relevant stakeholders on the buffer
zones and corridors regimes compliance.
3) Support the development
/ improvement of pasture management plans
in Pasture Committees.
Public and private
hunting and
wildlife
conservancy
Human
1) Provide training on sustainable hunting and
conservancy and revise the management
plans of hunting service providers in Western
The training package should
be developed with inclusion of
PAs staff, rangers of the
Department of Rational Use of
144
Target group Capacity development priorities Notes
organizations of
Toktogul and
Toguz-Toro
districts
Tian Shan taking into account protected areas
and land use in buffer zones and corridors.
2) Training on the best patrol practices, law
enforcement, publicity of violations and
community involvement on the national
workshop
3) Training on BD conservation issues the
representatives of the District State
Administration, self-governing authorities,
pasture committees, forestries of the private
sector and NGOs in the target areas.
Institutional
1) Establish joint patrolling groups, develop
their working plans and organize the joint
patrol raids
2) Develop a package of equipment and logistics
for anti-poaching groups – to consider:
Equipment for two target SNP groups:
equipment, GPS, radio, optics, camera traps,
uniforms (equipment to be kept by PAs)
3) Conduct the hunting grounds inventory and
management planning in the targeted
districts.
4) Develop and implement special hunting
regimes for the buffer-quiet areas and wildlife
corridors outside PAs in cooperation with
local hunting grounds users and hunters
5) Create and maintain an electronic database of
hunters with tracking of violators.
6) Analyze the compliance of the new regimes
with hunting licensing practice regarding
ungulates to assure the sufficient population
of the Snow Leopard prey and propose to
improve this practice.
7) Create the working groups for the integration
of these issues into development plans.
8) Updated mapping of snow leopard range and
other factors at national level, based on a
digital map of snow leopard habitat in
Kyrgyzstan, with annotated recommendations
for land use regimes in key areas of
importance for snow leopard
Enabling environment
1) Clarification on roles and responsibilities of
different actors at local level plus co-
ordination mechanisms
2) Formalize cooperation of PAs with owners of
hunting grounds for joint patrolling,
monitoring and the exchange of data on
Natural Resources at the local
level
145
Target group Capacity development priorities Notes
biodiversity
3) Stimulate rangers and other field staff to
identify poaching and illegal use of natural
resources cases.
4) Integrate the concepts “buffer-quiet zones”
and “ecological corridors” in the land,
forestry, hunting and biodiversity
conservation legislation
5) Conclude agreements with the relevant
stakeholders on the buffer zones and
corridors regimes compliance.
Tourist operators Human
1) Workshop on biodiversity conservation and
value in tourist development. Opportunities
to be identified for the strengthening of
cooperation between nature protected areas
system and tourists operators
2) Study tour for tourist operators
managers
Institutional
1) Agreements with PAs, SAEPF
Enabling environment
1) Improve the co-ordination and
information sharing with the private tourist
sector
2) Make more opportunities for
research and development for innovative
touristic products
Law enforcement
bodies at the
national, province
and district levels
Human
1) Training on advanced wildlife related law
enforcement for identification and
prosecution of wildlife crime and controlling
trade in snow leopard and other illegal
wildlife goods, based on review of existing
initiatives and best international practices
2) Training on canine-assisted wildlife crime
monitoring
Institutional
1) Support institutionalization of capacity
development modules (training modules, etc.)
into law enforcement agency action plans to
ensure sustainability
2) Regulations and working plans for the
sustainable cooperation between agencies.
3) Field-based technical capacity for wildlife
law enforcement. Enhancement of field law
enforcement capacity - potential equipment,
146
Target group Capacity development priorities Notes
etc. to support enforcement
4) Set up the unified reporting system on
wildlife crime
Enabling environment
1) Operational and institutionalized inter-agency
cross-sectoral cooperation mechanism /
agreements / MOUs among the relevant
agencies for snow leopard-related law
enforcement and joint actions on illegal snow
leopard trade.
Local
communities
Create local micro-grant committees, develop and
approve the rules of operation, selection criteria,
application forms, rules for reporting, rules of
monitoring and control (or enter into contracts with
the local financial institution(s) to implement micro-
grant activities);
National
Academy of
Sciences, Institute
of Biology and
Soil
Human
1) Provide training for protected area staff
(strategically selected, among sites other
than Alatai and Kan-Achuu PAs) on snow
leopard and prey monitoring.
2) Provide training for National Academy of
Sciences on snow leopard and prey
international standards of monitoring
Institutional
1) For national stakeholders responsible for
snow leopard monitoring - establishment of
monitoring protocols, provision of field kits,
camera traps, other monitoring tools and
approaches, etc. – for monitoring activities in
national priority snow leopard landscapes.
Develop capacities and equip research
institutions to provide adequate snow leopard
monitoring support.
2) Develop snow leopard monitoring database
and adequate database management
capacities
3) Develop and sign special MOUs on
monitoring between protected areas,
National Academy of Sciences, and hunting
department, relating to snow leopard and
prey species, with collaboration with
relevant international partner organizations
4) Conduct joint expeditions for monitoring and
training with hunting department, protected
areas, and National Academy of Sciences
staff - reporting of results to national
databases, etc. - publishing of results
147
Target group Capacity development priorities Notes
5) Updated mapping of snow leopard range and
other factors at national level, based on a
digital map of snow leopard habitat in
Kyrgyzstan, with annotated
recommendations for land use regimes in
key areas of importance for snow leopard.
Enabling environment
1) Sign an international MOU with a genetic
laboratory that has experience and technical
capacity to identify snow leopard samples
from scats, hair follicles and blood, located
in one of the snow leopard range countries,
to have compatible and high quality results
of analysis for basic (species-level) genetic
monitoring of populations and wildlife
crime.
Universities,
secondary
schools
Human
1) Awareness raising and knowledge
management activities - national education
and awareness campaigns as appropriate, etc.
Institutional
1) Convert accumulated snow leopard
monitoring and research data into addendums
to education programs for universities and
secondary schools
148
Annex 11: Social and Environmental Screening Template
The completed template, which constitutes the Social and Environmental Screening Report, must be included as an annex to the Project Document. Please refer to the Social and Environmental Screening Procedure and Toolkit for guidance on how to answer the 6 questions.
Project Information
Project Information
1. Project Title Conservation of globally important biodiversity and associated land and forest resources of Western Tian Shan mountain ecosystems to support sustainable livelihoods
2. Project Number 00095205
3. Location (Global/Region/Country) Kyrgyz Republic
Part A. Integrating Overarching Principles to Strengthen Social and Environmental Sustainability
QUESTION 1: How Does the Project Integrate the Overarching Principles in order to Strengthen Social and Environmental Sustainability?
Briefly describe in the space below how the project mainstreams the human-rights based approach
This GEF funded project has been developed in full compliance with a human-rights based approach to development, which is among the main approaches applied to improve the practice of conservation of globally important biodiversity, land and forest resources of Western Tian Shan and support to sustainable livelihoods. Improved access to decision making on Protected Areas (PA) development planning as well as inclusion of local communities into enforcement of biodiversity monitoring and flagship species patrolling will be achieved through the establishment of Public Steering Committees in two targeted State Nature Parks of Alatai and Kan-Achuu, as well as by organization of a joint patrol groups including local communities self-governments, PA rangers and local activists. High conservation value forests management will be improved by establishment of the Joint Forest Management Boards in two target Leskhozes of Toktogul and Toguz-Toro increasing opportunities of the communities to participate in making decisions of forest use rights ti-tling. Both PA Steering Committees and Leskhoz JFM Boards will duly address and try to prevent possible conflicts of interests by creating an operational grievance mechanisms assuring search of consensus and mutually beneficial solutions.
All the governmental partners at the national and also at the local districts’ and communities levels will be involved in a wide capacity development program, including duty-bearer’s obligations on Sustainable Forest and Land Management, as well as wildlife conservation. For this, the project will render support to the target Toktogul and Toguz-Toro Districts Administrations to revise corresponding territorial socio-economic development strategies, involving all the stakeholders. On the local communities levels, the participa-tory elaboration of local development plans involving all right-holders as well as duty-bearers will be organized, involving all interest groups, particularly in the Cholpon-Ata com-munity in the Toktogul District and Kok-Irim community in the Toguz-Toro District.
Additionally, the enabling framework on biodiversity conservation will be duly amended to systemically support capacity development of the national level PA network duty-bearers (but not limited to this only) to assure biodiversity conservation through special management regimes on wildlife corridors, also promoting rights-holders rights for sus-tainable use of this wildlife corridors territory.
149
All the above mentioned human-rights based activities will be supported by the wide national and local levels advocacy and awareness raising campaigns promoting human rights including the universal basic right for a clean and sustainable environment for this and future generations.
Briefly describe in the space below how the project is likely to improve gender equality and women’s empowerment
This project document has been developed in compliance with the corresponding “Guide to Gender Mainstreaming in UNDP Supported GEF Financed Projects”. Thus, gender aspects will be considered as appropriate while developing capacities on the systemic, institutional and individual level. For this, a gender mainstreaming strategy will be devel-oped and annually updated within the project implementation period. Particularly, on the national level, women will be duly involved into enabling framework improvement on biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest and land management and supported to incorporate gender smart solutions.
On the local level, gender balance will be duly observed while forming target Protected Areas Public Steering Committees and Joint Forest Management Boards; appropriate womens’ membership and participation will be adequately secured. Women’s’ membership and participation will be also promoted in joint anti-poaching patrol groups, which will be additionally established in the State Nature Parks of Alatai and Kan-Achuu in Toktogul and Toguz-Toro Districts of Jalal-Abad Province.
Support to sustainable livelihoods activities will be specifically aimed to equally benefit women and men. For this, a multi-stakeholder transparent micro-credit facility will be established with active participation of women. Moreover, gender aspects of biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest and land use will be duly incorporated as a separate topic into all training programs of the project. About 30% of all project activity and event participants will be women, which implies a proactive engagement of women in the sector, relative to the current norm.
Briefly describe in the space below how the project mainstreams environmental sustainability
This GEF funded and UNDP implemented project is aimed to address three main environmental challenges of the Kyrgyz Republic: biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the landscape surrounding protected areas, sustainable land management reducing land degradation, and sustainable forest management. In tackling these three issues the project will contribute both to global and national environmental benefits. In addition, the project will support alternative environmentally sustainable livelihoods at the commu-nity level.
To mainstream environmental sustainability the project will work to duly incorporate biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest and land management provisions into national, and more significantly into local development planning in cooperation with the State District Administrations in Toktogul and Toguz-Toro, as well as at local the community level in the key target rural aimaks of Cholpon-Ata and Kok Irim.
Additionally, wildlife corridors will be established around the target PAs, corresponding land management regimes will be developed considering biodiversity conservation and sustainable use aspects. Sustainable Forest Management measures, including biodiversity conservation measures and ecological sensitive management approaches for HCVF forests, will be integrated in Forest Management Plans for Toktogul and Toguz-Toro leskhozes. Targeted Pasture Management Committees in the four communities of Cholpon-Ata, Kyzyl-Ozgorush, Kok-Irim, and Atai will be also supported to develop environmentally friendly pasture management and grazing plans.
The substantive development aspects of biodiversity conservation, sustainable land and forest use involving local communities will also constitute the core of the project com-munication strategy and a series of awareness raising activities of the project.
150
Part B. Identifying and Managing Social and Environmental Risks
QUESTION 2: What are the Po-tential Social and Environmental Risks?
Note: Describe briefly potential social and environmental risks identified in Attachment 1 – Risk Screening Checklist (based on any “Yes” responses). If no risks have been identified in Attachment 1 then note “No Risks Identified” and skip to Question 4 and Select “Low Risk”. Questions 5 and 6 not required for Low Risk Projects.
QUESTION 3: What is the level of significance of the potential social and environmental risks?
Note: Respond to Questions 4 and 5 below before proceeding to Question 6
QUESTION 6: What social and environmental as-sessment and management measures have been conducted and/or are required to address poten-tial risks (for Risks with Moderate and High Sig-nificance)?
Risk Description Impact and Probability (1-5)
Significance
(Low, Mod-erate, High)
Comments Description of assessment and management measures as reflected in the Project design. If ESIA or SESA is required note that the assessment should consider all potential im-pacts and risks.
Risk 1: “Standard 1.1 Would the Project po-tentially cause adverse impacts to habitats (e.g. modified, natural, and critical habitats) and/or ecosystems and ecosystem services? – YES”
The project activities include the likely im-provement of two – four existing dirt roads, including the possible construction of small bridges across streams or rivers. These are short dead-end access roads into PA territo-ries that will be used mainly by PA manage-ment staff, or potential tourists. During the minor construction activity there could be minor modifications to the landscape in the immediate vicinity, minor changes to stream flow, and increased erosion or sedimenta-tion during the construction process.
I = 1 (negli-gible)
P = 4 (moderate-ly likely)
Low During any such minor construc-tion activities the project team will ensure that contractors conform to current relevant Kyrgyz environmental regula-tions, including the completion of Environmental Impact As-sessments (if required), and good practice construction ero-sion control measures. In addi-tion, based on the projected activities, the populations of any threatened or endangered spe-cies would not be impacted in any significant way, the area of potential habitat impact is ex-tremely small relative to the overall area (e.g. potential im-pacts of a few hundred meters of stream bed at most), and any impact on ecosystem services would be negligible and short-
NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
151
term. There may actually be some environmental benefits, as building small bridges over stream crossings would reduce the impact of vehicular traffic constantly driving through the streams. In addition, access via these roads into the PA territo-ries will be easily controlled by PA management authorities as the roads dead-end (i.e. have only a single entry point), there are no other nearby access roads into the PAs, and the sur-rounding landscape is too ex-treme to allow vehicular cir-cumnavigation of access check-points. In other words, im-provement of this transporta-tion infrastructure is expected to benefit the effectiveness of PA management, and is not expected to increase unauthor-ized access to the PAs.
Risk 2: “Standard 1.2 Are any Project activi-ties proposed within or adjacent to critical habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas, including legally protected areas (e.g. nature reserve, national park), areas pro-posed for protection, or recognized as such by authoritative sources and/or indigenous peoples or local communities? – YES”
The project specifically targets the conserva-tion and sustainable management of critical habitats, environmentally sensitive areas, and legally protected areas in the Western Tian Shan.
I = 1 (negli-gible)
P = 5 (ex-pected)
Low The conservation, protection, and sustainable use of these areas is the objective of the project.
NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
Risk 3: “Standard 1.6 Does the Project in-volve harvesting of natural forests, planta-
I = 1 (negli-gible)
Low The project team will work with the partner leskhozes (local
NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
152
tion development, or reforestation? – YES”
The project activities currently plan for the reforestation / afforestation of up to 500 hectares.
P = 5 (ex-pected)
forestry services) to ensure eco-logically appropriate locations for planting trees, and will use native species. The relatively small area of tree planting means that any ecological im-pact will be minimal, and the overall environmental impact – considering the benefits of the planted trees – is expected to be positive. Kyrgyzstan’s national forest cover currently stands below its historical average, and it is part of the national forest policy to increase forest cover.
Risk 4: “Standard 2.1 Will the proposed Pro-ject result in significant (more than 25,000 tons CO2 eq/year) greenhouse gas emissions or may exacerbate climate change? – YES”
The project aims to implement sustainable land management to improve management of approximately 110,000 ha of pas-turelands. The improved management of this amount of pasturelands implies that it may be possible to increase the number of livestock using the pasturelands while reduc-ing land degradation and improving the sus-tainability of the land use. However, consid-ering that one cow produces approximately 2.3 tons CO2 eq emissions per year, it would take an increase of more than 10,000 cows in the targeted project area to meet the threshold of an increase of 25,000 tons CO2 eq/year.
I = 2 (mi-nor)
P = 1 (slight)
Low The project team will monitor the number of livestock in the targeted project area in collabo-ration with the PMCs. If any increase in numbers approach-ing the threshold occurs or is likely in the near term after project completion the team will ensure mitigation measures are in place at the end of the pro-ject. In addition, the project’s sustainable forest management and sustainable land manage-ment activities are estimated to result in a carbon sink of more than 5 million tons CO2 eq over the 25 year calculation period (5 years of implementation + 20 years after project) (as per FAO EX-ACT approach).
NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
Risk 5: “Standard 2.2 Would the potential outcomes of the Project be sensitive or vul-nerable to potential impacts of climate change? - YES”
I = 1 (negli-gible)
P = (3 moderately likely)
Low The project team will work with all partners and stakeholders to apply the best available climate change impact prediction data for the Western Tian Shan, and
NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
153
The project impacts include the conservation of endangered and threatened species, and the improved management of protected areas. These results could be sensitive to changing climatic conditions in the future.
will ensure that all project activ-ities and plans take potential future climate impacts into con-sideration. For example, the project will ensure that planted trees are in locations that will continue to have suitable cli-mate conditions in the future, and will work with protected area management authorities to develop PA management plans for the two new PAs that con-sider potential future climate impacts.
QUESTION 4: What is the overall Project risk categorization?
Select one (see SESP for guidance) Comments
Low Risk X All identified potential SESP risks are considered “low” signifi-cance. The overall project is considered low risk with respect to SESP issues. The objective of the project specifically in-cludes improvement of environmental and social conditions in the target area, including improved gender mainstreaming.
Moderate Risk
High Risk
QUESTION 5: Based on the identified risks and risk categorization, what requirements of the SES are relevant?
Check all that apply Comments
Principle 1: Human Rights NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
Principle 2: Gender Equality and Women’s Empower-ment
NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
1. Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resource Management
NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
2. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
3. Community Health, Safety and Working Conditions NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
4. Cultural Heritage NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
5. Displacement and Resettlement NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
154
6. Indigenous Peoples ☐ NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
7. Pollution Prevention and Resource Efficiency ☐ NOT REQUIRED FOR LOW RISK PROJECTS
Final Sign Off
Signature Date Description
QA Assessor Daniar Ibragimov, Team Leader
Environment and Disaster Risk Management,
UNDP Kyrgyzstan Country Office
UNDP staff member responsible for the Project, typically a UNDP Programme
Officer. Final signature confirms they have “checked” to ensure that the SESP is
adequately conducted.
QA Approver Ms. Aliona Niculita, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Kyrgyzstan Country Office
UNDP senior manager, typically the UNDP Deputy Country Director (DCD), Coun-try Director (CD), Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), or Resident Repre-sentative (RR). The QA Approver cannot also be the QA Assessor. Final signature confirms they have “cleared” the SESP prior to submittal to the PAC.
PAC Chair UNDP chair of the PAC. In some cases PAC Chair may also be the QA Approver. Final signature confirms that the SESP was considered as part of the project ap-praisal and considered in recommendations of the PAC.
155
SESP Attachment 1. Social and Environmental Risk Screening Checklist
Checklist Potential Social and Environmental Risks
Principles 1: Human Rights Answer
(Yes/No)
1. Could the Project lead to adverse impacts on enjoyment of the human rights (civil, political, economic, social or cultural) of the affected population and particularly of marginalized groups?
No
2. Is there a likelihood that the Project would have inequitable or discriminatory adverse impacts on affected
populations, particularly people living in poverty or marginalized or excluded individuals or groups? 102
No
3. Could the Project potentially restrict availability, quality of and access to resources or basic services, in particular to marginalized individuals or groups?
No
4. Is there a likelihood that the Project would exclude any potentially affected stakeholders, in particular marginalized groups, from fully participating in decisions that may affect them?
No
5. Is there a risk that duty-bearers do not have the capacity to meet their obligations in the Project? No
6. Is there a risk that rights-holders do not have the capacity to claim their rights? No
7. Have local communities or individuals, given the opportunity, raised human rights concerns regarding the Project during the stakeholder engagement process?
No
8. Is there a risk that the Project would exacerbate conflicts among and/or the risk of violence to project-affected communities and individuals?
No
Principle 2: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
1. Is there a likelihood that the proposed Project would have adverse impacts on gender equality and/or the situation of women and girls?
No
2. Would the Project potentially reproduce discriminations against women based on gender, especially re-garding participation in design and implementation or access to opportunities and benefits?
No
3. Have women’s groups/leaders raised gender equality concerns regarding the Project during the stakehold-er engagement process and has this been included in the overall Project proposal and in the risk assess-ment?
No
4. Would the Project potentially limit women’s ability to use, develop and protect natural resources, taking No
102 Prohibited grounds of discrimination include race, ethnicity, gender, age, language, disability, sexual orientation, religion, political or other opinion, national or social
or geographical origin, property, birth or other status including as an indigenous person or as a member of a minority. References to “women and men” or similar is
understood to include women and men, boys and girls, and other groups discriminated against based on their gender identities, such as transgender people and
transsexuals.
156
into account different roles and positions of women and men in accessing environmental goods and ser-vices?
For example, activities that could lead to natural resources degradation or depletion in communities who depend on these resources for their livelihoods and well being
Principle 3: Environmental Sustainability: Screening questions regarding environmental risks are encompassed by the specific Standard-related questions below
Standard 1: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management
1.1 Would the Project potentially cause adverse impacts to habitats (e.g. modified, natural, and critical habi-tats) and/or ecosystems and ecosystem services? For example, through habitat loss, conversion or degradation, fragmentation, hydrological changes
Yes
1.2 Are any Project activities proposed within or adjacent to critical habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas, including legally protected areas (e.g. nature reserve, national park), areas proposed for protection, or recognized as such by authoritative sources and/or indigenous peoples or local communities?
Yes
1.3 Does the Project involve changes to the use of lands and resources that may have adverse impacts on habi-tats, ecosystems, and/or livelihoods? (Note: if restrictions and/or limitations of access to lands would ap-ply, refer to Standard 5)
No
1.4 Would Project activities pose risks to endangered species? No
1.5 Would the Project pose a risk of introducing invasive alien species? No
1.6 Does the Project involve harvesting of natural forests, plantation development, or reforestation? Yes
1.7 Does the Project involve the production and/or harvesting of fish populations or other aquatic species? No
1.8 Does the Project involve significant extraction, diversion or containment of surface or ground water?
For example, construction of dams, reservoirs, river basin developments, groundwater extraction
No
1.9 Does the Project involve utilization of genetic resources? (e.g. collection and/or harvesting, commercial development)
No
1.10 Would the Project generate potential adverse transboundary or global environmental concerns? No
1.11 Would the Project result in secondary or consequential development activities which could lead to adverse social and environmental effects, or would it generate cumulative impacts with other known existing or planned activities in the area?
For example, a new road through forested lands will generate direct environmental and social impacts (e.g. felling of trees, earthworks, potential relocation of inhabitants). The new road may also facilitate en-croachment on lands by illegal settlers or generate unplanned commercial development along the route,
No
157
potentially in sensitive areas. These are indirect, secondary, or induced impacts that need to be considered. Also, if similar developments in the same forested area are planned, then cumulative impacts of multiple activities (even if not part of the same Project) need to be considered.
Standard 2: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
2.1 Will the proposed Project result in significant103 greenhouse gas emissions or may exacerbate climate change?
Yes
2.2 Would the potential outcomes of the Project be sensitive or vulnerable to potential impacts of climate change?
Yes
2.3 Is the proposed Project likely to directly or indirectly increase social and environmental vulnerability to climate change now or in the future (also known as maladaptive practices)?
For example, changes to land use planning may encourage further development of floodplains, potentially increasing the population’s vulnerability to climate change, specifically flooding
No
Standard 3: Community Health, Safety and Working Conditions
3.1 Would elements of Project construction, operation, or decommissioning pose potential safety risks to local communities?
No
3.2 Would the Project pose potential risks to community health and safety due to the transport, storage, and use and/or disposal of hazardous or dangerous materials (e.g. explosives, fuel and other chemicals during construction and operation)?
No
3.3 Does the Project involve large-scale infrastructure development (e.g. dams, roads, buildings)? No
3.4 Would failure of structural elements of the Project pose risks to communities? (e.g. collapse of buildings or infrastructure)
No
3.5 Would the proposed Project be susceptible to or lead to increased vulnerability to earthquakes, subsid-ence, landslides, erosion, flooding or extreme climatic conditions?
No
3.6 Would the Project result in potential increased health risks (e.g. from water-borne or other vector-borne diseases or communicable infections such as HIV/AIDS)?
No
3.7 Does the Project pose potential risks and vulnerabilities related to occupational health and safety due to physical, chemical, biological, and radiological hazards during Project construction, operation, or decom-missioning?
No
3.8 Does the Project involve support for employment or livelihoods that may fail to comply with national and No
103 In regards to CO2, ‘significant emissions’ corresponds generally to more than 25,000 tons per year (from both direct and indirect sources). [The Guidance Note on Cli-
mate Change Mitigation and Adaptation provides additional information on GHG emissions.]
158
international labor standards (i.e. principles and standards of ILO fundamental conventions)?
3.9 Does the Project engage security personnel that may pose a potential risk to health and safety of commu-nities and/or individuals (e.g. due to a lack of adequate training or accountability)?
No
Standard 4: Cultural Heritage
4.1 Will the proposed Project result in interventions that would potentially adversely impact sites, structures, or objects with historical, cultural, artistic, traditional or religious values or intangible forms of culture (e.g. knowledge, innovations, practices)? (Note: Projects intended to protect and conserve Cultural Heritage may also have inadvertent adverse impacts)
No
4.2 Does the Project propose utilizing tangible and/or intangible forms of cultural heritage for commercial or other purposes?
No
Standard 5: Displacement and Resettlement
5.1 Would the Project potentially involve temporary or permanent and full or partial physical displacement? No
5.2 Would the Project possibly result in economic displacement (e.g. loss of assets or access to resources due to land acquisition or access restrictions – even in the absence of physical relocation)?
No
5.3 Is there a risk that the Project would lead to forced evictions?104 No
5.4 Would the proposed Project possibly affect land tenure arrangements and/or community based property rights/customary rights to land, territories and/or resources?
No
Standard 6: Indigenous Peoples
6.1 Are indigenous peoples present in the Project area (including Project area of influence)? No
6.2 Is it likely that the Project or portions of the Project will be located on lands and territories claimed by in-digenous peoples?
No
6.3 Would the proposed Project potentially affect the human rights, lands, natural resources, territories, and traditional livelihoods of indigenous peoples (regardless of whether indigenous peoples possess the legal titles to such areas, whether the Project is located within or outside of the lands and territories inhabited by the affected peoples, or whether the indigenous peoples are recognized as indigenous peoples by the country in question)?
If the answer to the screening question 6.3 is “yes” the potential risk impacts are considered potentially se-
No
104 Forced evictions include acts and/or omissions involving the coerced or involuntary displacement of individuals, groups, or communities from homes and/or lands
and common property resources that were occupied or depended upon, thus eliminating the ability of an individual, group, or community to reside or work in a particular
dwelling, residence, or location without the provision of, and access to, appropriate forms of legal or other protections.
159
vere and/or critical and the Project would be categorized as either Moderate or High Risk.
6.4 Has there been an absence of culturally appropriate consultations carried out with the objective of achiev-ing FPIC on matters that may affect the rights and interests, lands, resources, territories and traditional livelihoods of the indigenous peoples concerned?
No
6.5 Does the proposed Project involve the utilization and/or commercial development of natural resources on lands and territories claimed by indigenous peoples?
No
6.6 Is there a potential for forced eviction or the whole or partial physical or economic displacement of indige-nous peoples, including through access restrictions to lands, territories, and resources?
No
6.7 Would the Project adversely affect the development priorities of indigenous peoples as defined by them? No
6.8 Would the Project potentially affect the physical and cultural survival of indigenous peoples? No
6.9 Would the Project potentially affect the Cultural Heritage of indigenous peoples, including through the commercialization or use of their traditional knowledge and practices?
No
Standard 7: Pollution Prevention and Resource Efficiency
7.1 Would the Project potentially result in the release of pollutants to the environment due to routine or non-routine circumstances with the potential for adverse local, regional, and/or transboundary impacts?
No
7.2 Would the proposed Project potentially result in the generation of waste (both hazardous and non-hazardous)?
No
7.3 Will the proposed Project potentially involve the manufacture, trade, release, and/or use of hazardous chemicals and/or materials? Does the Project propose use of chemicals or materials subject to internation-al bans or phase-outs?
For example, DDT, PCBs and other chemicals listed in international conventions such as the Stockholm Conventions on Persistent Organic Pollutants or the Montreal Protocol
No
7.4 Will the proposed Project involve the application of pesticides that may have a negative effect on the envi-ronment or human health?
No
7.5 Does the Project include activities that require significant consumption of raw materials, energy, and/or water?
No
160
Annex 12: Project TORs for Key Positions
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Background
The Project Coordinator will be locally recruited, based on an open competitive process. Generally, he/she
will be responsible for meeting government obligations under the project, under the direct implementation
modality (DIM). He/she will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including the
mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors. The Project
Coordinator will report to the UNDP Sustainable Development Programme Dimension Chief for all of the
project’s substantive operational issues. The Project Coordinator will report on a periodic basis to the Project
Board (PB) on the overall project progress and future project planning. The incumbent will perform a liaison
role with the Government, UNDP, implementing partners, NGOs and other stakeholders, and maintain close
collaboration with any donor agencies supporting project activities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Supervise and coordinate the production of project outputs, as per the project
document;
Mobilize all project inputs in accordance with procedures for nationally implemented
projects;
Coordinate the recruitment and selection of project personnel;
Supervise and coordinate the work of all project staff, consultants and sub-contractors;
Prepare and revise project work and financial plans;
Liaise with UNDP, relevant government agencies, and all project partners, including
donor organizations and NGOs for effective coordination of all project activities;
Oversee and ensure timely submission of the Inception Report, Combined Project
Implementation Review/Annual Project Report (PIR/APR), Technical reports, quarterly financial
reports, and other reports as may be required by UNDP, GEF, TFS and other oversight agencies;
Disseminate project reports and respond to queries from concerned stakeholders;
Report progress of project to the SC, and ensure the fulfilment of SC directives;
Oversee the exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned with relevant
community based integrated conservation and development projects nationally and internationally;
Ensure the timely and effective implementation of all components of the project;
Assist SAEPF and other relevant government agencies and project partners - including
donor organizations and NGOs - with development of essential skills through training workshops and
on the job training thereby upgrading their institutional capabilities;
Carry out regular, announced and unannounced inspections of all sites and project-
funded activities.
Qualifications and experience
A post-graduate university degree in natural resource management (or equivalent)
and/or business or public administration;
At least 10 years of relevant experience in conservation, forestry, wildlife and/or
pasture planning and management;
At least 5 years of project management experience;
161
Working experience in international projects, or within international organisations, is
highly desirable;
Working experience with the project stakeholder institutions and agencies is desired;
Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multi-stakeholder project;
Ability to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all
levels and with all groups involved in the project;
Strong writing, presentation and reporting skills;
Strong computer skills;
Excellent written communication skills; and
A good working knowledge of Kyrgyz (and/or Russian) and English is a requirement.
162
PROJECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANT
Background
The Project Financial Assistant will be locally recruited based on an open competitive process. He/she will be
responsible for the overall financial management of the project. The Project Financial Assistant will report to
the Project Coordinator. Generally, the Project Financial Assistant will be responsible for supporting the
Project Coordinator in meeting UNPD operations procedures, under the direct implementation modality
(DIM).
Duties and Responsibilities
Monitor project budgets and financial expenditures;
Assist in all procurement and recruitment processes;
Advise all project counterparts on applicable financial procedures and ensures their proper
implementation;
Contribute to the preparation and implementation of progress and financial reports;
Support the preparations of project work-plans, budgets and operational and financial planning
processes;
Assist in the preparation of payments requests for operational expenses, salaries, insurance, etc.
against project budgets and work plans;
Work closely with financial counterparts in the UNDP PMU and CO on payment requests;
Follow-up on timely disbursements by the UNDP PMU and CO;
Maintain data on co-financing commitments to the project;
Coordinate the annual financial audit of the project; and
Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications and experience
A university degree (diploma, or equivalent), preferably in finance, economics, bookkeeping (or
equivalent);
At least 5 years of relevant financial management experience;
Work experience in UNDP and/or GEF projects is highly desirable;
Demonstrable ability to administer project budgets, and track financial expenditure;
Excellent computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package;
Excellent written communication skills; and
A good working knowledge of Kyrgyz (and/or Russian) and English is a requirement,
163
PROJECT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Background
The Project Administrative Assistant (PAA) will be locally recruited based on an open competitive process.
He/she will be responsible for the overall administration of the project. The Project Assistant will report to the
Project Coordinator. Generally, the Project Administrative Assistant will be responsible for supporting the
Project Coordinator in meeting UNDP operational procedures under the direct implementation modality
(DIM).
Duties and Responsibilities
Collect, register and maintain all information on project activities;
Contribute to the preparation and implementation of progress reports;
Advise all project counterparts on applicable administrative procedures and ensures their proper
implementation;
Maintain project correspondence and communication;
Assist in procurement and recruitment processes;
Receive, screen and distribute correspondence and attach necessary background information;
Prepare routine correspondence and memoranda for Project Coordinator’s signature;
Assist in logistical organization of meetings, training and workshops;
Prepare agendas and arrange field visits, appointments and meetings both internal and external related
to the project activities and write minutes from the meetings;
Maintain a project filing system;
Maintain records over project equipment inventory; and
Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications and experience
A post-school qualification (diploma, or equivalent), preferably in administration (or equivalent);
At least 5 years of relevant administrative experience;
Work experience in UNDP and/or GEF projects or within international organisations is highly
desirable;
Demonstrable ability to maintain effective communications with different stakeholders, and arrange
stakeholder meetings and/or workshops;
Excellent computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package;
Excellent written communication skills; and
A good working knowledge of Kyrgyz (and/or Russian) and English is a requirement.
164
FIELD COMMUNITY MOBILIZERS (2 UNV)
Background
A Field Community Mobilizer for each of the two project components (Component 1 – SNP support and
HCVF status upgrade, PAs capacity development and joint patrolling; Component 2 – buffer zones and
corridors land use planning, integration of biodiversity conservation and SLM and SFM objectives to
territorial development planning, rehabilitation of pastures and forests and support to livelihoods) will be
locally recruited, based on an open competitive process. The Field Community Mobilizers will be responsible
for coordinating the direct implementation of all field-based project activities in the targeted areas of the
planning domain, including the supervision over any field-based project staff, contracted consultants’/service
providers and sub-contractors. The two Field Community Mobilizers will report to the Project Coordinator
(PC) for all of the project’s substantive and administrative issues. Generally, the Field Coordinators will be
responsible for assisting the field staff of the responsible state institutions in meeting their field-based
obligations under each component. The incumbents will perform a liaison role with the relevant local
authorities, forest and pasture user groups, tenure holders, NGOs, research institutions, academic institutions
and all other key stakeholders, and maintain close collaboration with any complementary local initiatives and
programs. The Field Community Mobilizer will assist the Project Coordinator in reporting, on a periodic
basis, to the Project Board (PB).
Duties and Responsibilities
Supervise and coordinate the work of all field-based project staff, consultants and sub-contractors;
Prepare and revise project work and financial plans;
Liaise with all relevant field-based government agencies, and all project partners, including donor
organizations and NGOs for effective coordination of all project activities;
Facilitate technical backstopping to field-based subcontractors and training activities supported by the
Project;
Provide inputs into the Combined Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report (PIR/APR),
Technical reports, quarterly financial reports, and other reports as may be required by the PM;
Report progress of project to the PC;
Document all field-based experiences and lessons learned;
Ensure the timely and cost-effective implementation of all outputs under the components;
Assist relevant government agencies and project partners - including donor organizations and NGOs -
with development of essential skills through training workshops and on the job training thereby
upgrading their institutional capabilities;
Coordinate and assist expert teams and academic institutions with the initiation and implementation of
any field studies and monitoring components of the component; and
Carry out regular and random monitoring visits of all project sites.
Qualifications
A post-school education or university degree in conservation management, or equivalent; forestry and/or
agricultural management, or equivalent; and wildlife management or equivalent; business or public
administration;
Working experience with the project local stakeholder institutions and agencies is highly desired;
Ability to effectively coordinate a diverse range of local stakeholders;
165
Demonstrable ability to maintain effective communications with different stakeholders, and arrange
stakeholder meetings and/or workshops;
Ability to prepare budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all local
groups involved in the project;
Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package
Excellent written and oral communication skills; and
A good working knowledge of Kyrgyz is a requirement, while knowledge of English and Russian will be
an advantage.
166
Annex 13: Co-financing Letters
(ATTACHED SEPARATELY. TABLE BELOW SUMMARIZES RELATIONSHIP CONTRIBUTION OF CO-FINANCING TO
PROJECT RESULTS).
Component Outcomes Outputs Co-financing
Source
Co-financing
Amount
Notes
Component 1.
Conservation
and sustaina-
ble manage-
ment of Key
Biodiversity
Areas within
landscape
- The extent of the
functional IUCN Cat-
egory I and II PA
network operational
in the Western Tian
Shan increases from a
baseline of 198,777
ha to 298,099 ha.
- The conservation
values of 87,323 ha
of globally important
biodiversity, includ-
ing snow leopard and
prey habitats, are
secured, monitored
and enforced in the
two newly estab-
lished PAs of Alatai
and Kan-Achuu.
- The average METT
scores for the Alatai
and Kan-Achuu SNP
increases from an
average score of 17 to
>50;
- HCVF forest man-
agement approach
legally recognized in
Kyrgyzstan
- HCVF management
measures incorpo-
rated in forest man-
agement plans of two
forest management
authorities covering
34,382 ha;
- Average number of
hectares covered per
week by anti-
poaching patrols
reaches 1000 hectares
per week;
- Rural communities
adjacent to the Alatai
and Kan-Achuu SNP
are increasingly in-
volved in (from a
baseline of less than
100 individuals to
Output 1.1. Expanded
operational SPNA
network in the West-
ern Tian Shan region
through support to
operationalize the two
new State Nature
Parks of Alatai and
Kan-Achuu, includ-
ing: development of
new management
plans, new maps, da-
tabase management
systems, new infra-
structure and equip-
ment for PA manage-
ment, training pro-
grams for PA staff,
biodiversity research
and monitoring pro-
gram, business plan,
communications pro-
gram, and education
and awareness pro-
gram.
Output 1.2. Upgraded
status of HCVF, and
sustainable forest
management involving
local communities,
including: proposal
and recommendations
for integration of
HCVF principles into
existing policies and
legislation, implemen-
tation of JFM Boards,
revised and updated
forest and SNP man-
agement plans incor-
porating HCVF prin-
ciples, updated and
revised local devel-
opment plans incorpo-
ration HCVF princi-
ples, certification pilot
activities, and assess-
ment of existing forest
zakazkniks in Western
UNDP TRAC $100,000 For equipment
and furniture
specifically
under Output
1.1.
UNDP other
grants (not
transferred
through this
project)
$225,000 Multiple con-
tributions to
strengthening
management of
PAs and insti-
tuting HCVF
forest man-
agement ap-
proach from
sources indi-
cated in co-
financing let-
ter.
SAEPF Grant $9,459,457 Multiple con-
tributions to
strengthening
management of
PAs and insti-
tuting HCVF
forest man-
agement ap-
proach, as per
co-financing
letter: “to fi-
nance the ac-
tivities for the
conservation of
biodiversity
and protected
areas system
and the devel-
opment of for-
estry in Kyr-
gyzstan.”
SAEPF In-
kind
$250,000 Multiple con-
tributions to
strengthening
management of
PAs and insti-
tuting HCVF
forest man-
agement ap-
proach as per
co-financing
letter: “imma-
167
Component Outcomes Outputs Co-financing
Source
Co-financing
Amount
Notes
more than 2,0000
individuals, of whom
at
least 600 are women),
and financially bene-
fit from (from a base-
line of less that 10
individuals to more
than 150, of whom at
least 50 are women)
the planning and
management of
Alatai and Kan-
Achuu SNP.
Tian Shan
Output 1.3. Enhanced
management and con-
servation capacities of
Western Tian Shan
PAs in Jalal-Abad
Province, and
strengthened HCVF
management, includ-
ing: training program
and activities for staff
of existing Western
Tian Shan PAs, PA
financial management
and planning training,
piloting of private
sector partnerships for
tourism, capacity
strengthening for uni-
fied national infor-
mation system on
PAs, capacity
strengthening on PA
monitoring data col-
lection and reporting
to national unified
information system,
training for Western
Tian Shan leskhozes
on HCVF implemen-
tation, awareness rais-
ing activities on
HCVF and SFM,
workshops to improve
existing Western Tian
Shan PA management
plans and business
plans, strengthened
PA public relations
programs, training of
hunting service pro-
viders, updated and
revised game man-
agement plans for
hunting concessions in
Western Tian Shan.
Output 1.4. Strength-
ened participatory
patrolling, enforce-
ment and surveillance
systems of new and
existing PAs through
terial contribu-
tion of SAEPF
staff in support
of the project
implementation
in the Western
Tien Shan”
Kyrgyz Re-
public Fund
for Nature
Protection
and Forestry
Development
$200,000 Multiple con-
tributions to
strengthening
management of
PAs and insti-
tuting HCVF
forest man-
agement ap-
proach as per
co-financing
letter: “allocat-
ed for financ-
ing the newly
established
Protected Are-
as Alatay and
Kan-Achuu,
biodiversity
conservation
and sustainable
forest man-
agement in the
Western Tien-
Shan.”
State Inspec-
torate for
Environmen-
tal and Tech-
nical Safety –
In-kind
$121,600 Multiple con-
tributions to
strengthening
management of
PAs and insti-
tuting HCVF
forest man-
agement ap-
proach as indi-
cated in co-
financing let-
ter.
Toktogul
District Gov-
ernment -
Grant
$0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Component II.
Toguz-toro
District Gov-
ernment -
Grant
$0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Component II.
GIZ $0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Component II.
168
Component Outcomes Outputs Co-financing
Source
Co-financing
Amount
Notes
the Local PA Man-
agement Board and
joint patrol groups to
enforce anti-poaching,
including: organiza-
tion of PA public
management boards,
establishment of joint
patrolling groups, dis-
semination of best
practices on communi-
ty involvement in pa-
trolling and wildlife
law enforcement,
workshops to improve
system of patrolling
and law enforcement,
equipping of joint pa-
trol groups in pilot
PAs, agreements on
cooperation between
PAs and hunting con-
cessions, financial
incentives program for
reporting poaching
and other illegal uses
of natural resources.
Panthera $0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Component III.
Component I Sub-total $10,356,057
Component
II. Ecosystem
resilience and
habitat con-
nectivity in
Western Tian
Shan are en-
hanced by
regulating
land and for-
est use in
buffer zones
and corridors
and support to
sustainable
livelihoods
- About 50,000 ha of
buffer zones and
wildlife corridors
connecting PAs of the
Western Tian Shan
identified, corre-
sponding land use
regimes and plans
developed and im-
plemented involving
all the stakeholders.
- The territorial de-
velopment plans cov-
ering the area of
1,218,175 ha of two
target districts of
Toktgul and Toguz-
Toro, including those
of target local com-
munities of Cholpon-
Ata, Kyzyl-Ozgorush,
Kok-Irim, and Atai
aligned with the bio-
diversity conserva-
tion, SLM and SFM
objectives.
- A total of 147,268
Output 2.1 Identified
and designated buffer
zones for new SPNAs
and wildlife corridors
between relevant
SPNAs, including: reg-
ulations and legislation
fully reflecting re-
quirements for buffer
zones and corridors,
agreements on buffer
zones and corridors
between all relevant
local stakeholders, as-
sessments for sustaina-
ble use of resources in
buffer zones and corri-
dors, revised and up-
dated resource use
management plans for
buffer zone and corri-
dor areas, electronic
database of hunting
violations, awareness
raising activities about
buffer zones and corri-
dors, joint raids for
UNDP
TRAC
$0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Component I.
UNDP Par-
allel
$4,752,383 Multiple con-
tributions to
outcomes from
sources indi-
cated in co-
financing letter
SAEPF
Grant
$1,427,666 Multiple con-
tributions to
outcomes, as
per co-
financing let-
ter: “to finance
the activities
for the conser-
vation of bio-
diversity and
protected areas
system and the
development of
forestry in
Kyrgyzstan.”
SAEPF In-
kind
$250,000 Multiple con-
tributions to
outcomes as
169
Component Outcomes Outputs Co-financing
Source
Co-financing
Amount
Notes
ha of pastureland
under SLM, including
65,361 ha of degrad-
ed pastures put under
better management
regimes for rehabili-
tation.
- Productivity of pas-
tures improved from
baseline 0.13 t of dry
fodder mass to 0.57 t.
- At least four mod-
ern pasture manage-
ment plans are im-
plemented by target-
ed Pasture Manage-
ment Committees.
- 4,886 ha of degrad-
ed forests are under
active restoration
and/or rehabilitation;
- Almost 3 million
tons of CO2 equiva-
lent emissions are
avoided or seques-
tered as project life-
time benefits from
SFM and SLM;
- At least 2 Joint
Forest Management
Boards, including all
local stakeholders are
actively involved in
the ongoing
planning, manage-
ment, rehabilitation
and monitoring of
HCVF;
- A total of more than
23,939 people, in-
cluding more than
11,702 women, bene-
fit indirectly from
reduced land degra-
dation; and
- At least 50 local
households benefit
from technical and
grant funding support
for sustainable liveli-
hoods program, lead-
ing to at least a 10%
increase in income.
enforcement of buffer
zones and corridors,
and analysis of hunting
licensing to ensure
alignment with conser-
vation goals.
Output 2.2. Territorial
development plans of
Toktogul and Toguz-
Toro districts and
communities aligned
with biodiversity con-
servation, SFM and
SLM objectives, in-
cluding: analysis of
resource management
and spatial plans, train-
ing for local govern-
ment and resource users
on SFM and SLM, es-
tablishment of working
groups for integration
of good resource man-
agement practices into
spatial and develop-
ment plans, assessment
of infrastructure devel-
opment and mining
plans for potential bio-
diversity conflicts,
identification and in-
corporation of mitiga-
tion measures in infra-
structure and mining
development, work-
shops on sustainable
development planning,
coordination workshops
on pasture manage-
ment, assessment of
valuation of ecosystem
services including fea-
sibility of development
of PES schemes.
Output 2.3. Degraded
rangelands important
both for livelihoods and
wildlife, including
snow leopard prey spe-
cies in the target dis-
tricts, rehabilitated
through improved local
pasture management
per co-
financing let-
ter: “immateri-
al contribution
of SAEPF staff
in support of
the project
implementation
in the Western
Tien Shan”
Kyrgyz Re-
public Fund
for Nature
Protection
and Forestry
Develop-
ment
$0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Component I.
State Inspec-
torate for
Environ-
mental and
Technical
Safety -
Grant
$121,600 Multiple con-
tributions to
outcomes as
indicated in co-
financing let-
ter.
Toktogul
District
Government
- Grant
$3,100,000 Multiple con-
tributions to
outcomes, as
per co-
financing let-
ter: “focused
on the activi-
ties on the ra-
tional use of
natural re-
sources (irriga-
tion water,
pasture, waste
management,
etc.), climate
change issues,
conservation of
biodiversity
and preventing
land degrada-
tion.”
Toguz-toro
District
Government
- Grant
$100,000 Multiple con-
tributions to
outcomes, as
per co-
financing let-
ter: “allocated
for the rational
use of natural
resources (irri-
gation, pas-
170
Component Outcomes Outputs Co-financing
Source
Co-financing
Amount
Notes
plans, including: de-
tailed assessment of
pastures to be rehabili-
tated, creation of rele-
vant maps to support
grazing management
plans, research on in-
teraction between live-
stock grazing and bio-
diversity conditions,
training on implementa-
tion of best practice
pasture management
tools, implementation
of e-Pasture Manage-
ment System in target-
ed pilot communities,
research on impacts of
climate change on pas-
turelands, revised and
updated forest pasture
management plans in
neighboring leskhozes.
Output 2.4: Restora-
tion of degraded forests
important for wildlife,
including snow leopard
prey, and livelihoods of
local communities, in-
cluding: geo-botanic
and economic analysis
for reforestation in
Western Tian Shan,
analysis of ecosystem
services opportunities
in relation to reforesta-
tion and rehabilitation,
reforestation and reha-
bilitation management
plans for agreed 4,886
ha in buffer zones and
corridors of PAs, refor-
estation activities for
500 ha, assisted natural
regeneration in 4,000-
4,500 ha.
Output 2.5. Alternative
livelihoods program for
local communities de-
signed jointly with the
local micro-crediting
institutions, and
launched to support
tures, waste
management,
etc.) and for
the improve-
ment of social
infrastructure,
biodiversity
conservation
and prevention
of land degra-
dation.”
GIZ $627,000 Multiple con-
tributions to
outcomes from
multiple initia-
tives, as indi-
cated in co-
financing let-
ter.
Panthera $0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Component III.
171
Component Outcomes Outputs Co-financing
Source
Co-financing
Amount
Notes
target communities,
including: establish-
ment of micro-grant
support program with
local committees and
all procedures and
rules, informational
campaign about quali-
fying activities, provi-
sion of micro-grants,
systematic monitoring
and controlling of pro-
jects, assessment and
reporting on results,
publishing of best prac-
tices.
Component II Sub-total $10,378,649
Component
III. Strength-
ened national
capacities for
snow leopard
conservation,
promoting
Kyrgyz re-
gional and
global coop-
eration, and
setting the
scene for up-
scaling
The capacity for col-
laboration and coor-
dination between
international, national
and local institutions
in the conservation of
snow leopard, their
prey and their ecosys-
tems is significantly
improved:
- The number of ille-
gal snow leopard
trafficking incidents
is reduced
- the National Strate-
gy and Action Plan
for Snow Leopard
Conservation is under
implementation;
- At least one interna-
tional regional
agreement adopted on
key issues of border
control / law en-
forcement or moni-
toring data sharing;
A strong scientific
base for the
conservation of snow
leopard and their prey
is established:
- a national snow
leopard monitoring
and reporting infor-
mation management
system is established
Output 3.1. Law en-
forcement capacities of
relevant stakeholders
enhanced through train-
ings on wildlife protec-
tion aimed at identifica-
tion and prosecution of
wildlife crime, includ-
ing: advanced training
on wildlife related law
enforcement including
identification and pros-
ecution, training on
canine-assisted wildlife
crime monitoring, inte-
gration of training
modules into law en-
forcement agency ac-
tion plans, inter-agency
cross-sectoral coopera-
tion mechanism or
MOUs at national and
sub-national levels,
capacity strengthening
of field-based wildlife
law enforcement, uni-
fied reporting system
on wildlife crime, fea-
sibility studies on field-
based DNA analysis
and trophy micro-
chipping
Output 3.2. Capacities
for deployment of in-
ternational standards
for long-term monitor-
ing of parameters criti-
UNDP
TRAC
$0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Component I.
UNDP Par-
allel
$450,000 Multiple con-
tributions to
outcomes from
sources indi-
cated in co-
financing letter
SAEPF
Grant
$2,912,877 Multiple con-
tributions to
outcomes, as
per co-
financing let-
ter: “to finance
the activities
for the conser-
vation of bio-
diversity and
protected areas
system and the
development of
forestry in
Kyrgyzstan.”
SAEPF In-
kind
$0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Components I
and II.
Kyrgyz Re-
public Fund
for Nature
Protection
and Forestry
Develop-
ment
$0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Component I.
State Inspec-
torate for
$121,600 Multiple con-
tributions to
172
Component Outcomes Outputs Co-financing
Source
Co-financing
Amount
Notes
and operational,
drawing on data col-
lected via application
of the GSLEP snow
leopard and prey
monitoring frame-
work;
- the national esti-
mate for snow leop-
ard population has a
confidence level of
60% or greater, and is
produced annually;
and
- Kyrgyzstan’s partic-
ipation in the Global
Snow Leopard and
Ecosystem Conserva-
tion Program events
is assured, also in-
volving field staff.
- the Second Summit
of the Snow Leopard
Range Countries
conducted in Bish-
kek.
- at least 20 manag-
ers, scientists, re-
searchers participate
in regional snow
leopard conservation
initiatives, and at
least 10 attend and
participate in regional
monitoring and re-
port-back meetings of
the GLSEP.
cal for snow leopard
conservation in national
priority landscapes de-
veloped, based on in-
ternational GSLEP
monitoring framework,
including: development
and implementation of
a national snow leopard
monitoring program in
accordance with inter-
national standards,
training for relevant
national institutions on
snow leopard and prey
monitoring in accord-
ance with international
standards, PA staff
training on snow leop-
ard and prey monitor-
ing, snow leopard mon-
itoring database, MOUs
on snow leopard and
prey monitoring be-
tween relevant institu-
tions and PAs, joint
expeditions for moni-
toring and training,
MOU with a genetics
laboratory in a snow
leopard range state for
species-level identifica-
tion from physical
samples.
Output 3.3 Kyrgyzstan
participation in the
Global Snow Leopard
and Ecosystem Protec-
tion Programs support-
ed, aimed at synergies
and coordination of
national, transboundary
and regional level ac-
tivities, including:
presentations and pa-
pers on best practice
approaches for snow
leopard conservation
for international meet-
ings and workshops,
regional conference
(with three countries)
on cross-border moni-
toring data sharing, 2nd
Global Snow Leopard
Environ-
mental and
Technical
Safety -
Grant
outcomes as
indicated in co-
financing let-
ter.
Toktogul
District
Government
- Grant
$0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Component II.
Toguz-toro
District
Government
- Grant
$0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Component II.
GIZ $0 Full contribu-
tion relevant to
Component II.
Panthera $300,000 Multiple con-
tributions to
outcomes as
indicated in co-
financing let-
ter: “support
[to] output III,
specifically as
it relates to
addressing
wildlife traf-
ficking and
supporting
community-
based conserv-
ancies in the
Alai Valley.”
173
Component Outcomes Outputs Co-financing
Source
Co-financing
Amount
Notes
summit, information
materials on snow
leopard conservation in
Kyrgyzstan.
Output 3.4. Implemen-
tation of Kyrgyzstan's
NSSLC supported in
nationally identified
priority landscapes pro-
vided, in alignment and
coordination with
GSLEP and other rele-
vant initiatives, includ-
ing: presentations and
workshops on global
snow leopard conserva-
tion best practices in
Western Tian Shan and
Gissar-Alai priority
landscapes, national
education and aware-
ness raising activities
on snow leopard con-
servation, publications
using snow leopard
monitoring data, updat-
ed maps on snow leop-
ard range and habitat,
recommendations for
revisions to national
hunting policies for
snow leopard prey spe-
cies, contributions to
implementation of Kyr-
gyzstan NSSLC.
Component III Sub-total $3,784,477
Co-financing Grand Total $24,519,183
174
Annex 14: Justification for Expenditure Under Each ATLAS Budget Category and Alignment with Local Benefits
ATLAS
Budget Code
ATLAS Budget
Description
Budget
reference # Original Budget notes Amount
Justification of Contribution to
Component 1 Outcomes and Outputs
Benefit to Local
Communities
Co
mp
on
ent
1
71200 International
Consultants 1
Pro rata (43%) cost of contracting
the services of an international mid-
term evaluation consultant under
Output 1.1 (8 weeks @
US$3235/wk) (M&E). Pro rata
(43%) costs of contracting the
services of an international final
evaluation consultant under Output
1.1 (9 weeks @ US$3235/wk)
(M&E).
35,000.00
N/A – The required M&E costs are
prorated across the three main project
components, instead of being separated
into another component. This is standard
practice for UNDP-GEF projects’
ATLAS budget organization. The cost of
an international consultant for the mid-
term review and terminal evaluation are
currently the only planned contracting of
international consultants related to any
aspect of the project.
The mid-term review
and evaluation
process provides an
additional
opportunity for local
stakeholders to
provide their
concerns and inputs
to the project
implementation.
71300 Local
Consultants 2
National professional, technical and
scientific expertise for: Output 1.1.
Activities on PA zoning and
biodiversity inventory, appropriate
management tools development and
staff training (112 local consultant
weeks @$550/week; 2 trainers for
12 training workshops @$500 per
trainer/workshop); Output 1.2 on
HCVF status upgrading, on-the-
ground HCVF identification and
management plans development, as
well as leskhoz staff training (164
local consultant weeks
@$US550/week); Output 1.3 on
capacity development of other PAs
and leskhozes in the region,
including PA Steering Boards and
leskhoz JFM Board establishment
and capacitating for operation (104
local consultant weeks
@US$500/week, 76 local consultant
weeks @$US550/week); Output 1.4.
local capacity building for joint
patrolling of PAs, buffer zones and
corridors (12 local consultant weeks
@US$550, 4 local consultant weeks
@US$500/week). Pro rata (33%)
250,185.00
The specific activities to be undertaken
under each of the outputs are summarized
in the project document. The input and
guidance of national experts on PA
management planning and PA capacity
development is required to complete
these outputs. The SAEPF does not have
the human resources or technical capacity
to undertake these activities on their own.
With the project’s support, the two newly
established PAs will be operationalized.
Along similar lines, the inputs and
guidance of national experts is required
for activities in relation to HCVF, as
SAEPF (and the local leskhoz
stakeholders) do not have the capacity to
elaborate and operationalize the HCVF
approach on their own. HCVF is a new
concept in Kyrgyzstan that is not yet
implemented in practice, and thus the
input of technical experts is required to
develop the HCVF approach and
operationalize it in the Kyrgyz context.
This budget line also includes the pro-
rate costs for a national consultant to
The use of local
consultants will
directly contribute to
and is necessary for
the establishment and
operationalization of
the two new PAs.
The local
communities have
directly supported the
creation and
establishment of the
PAs, and are eagerly
anticipating the
various benefits that
the PAs will bring
them, including:
opportunities for
employment directly
with the PA,
opportunities for
employment with
business or services
associated with the
PAs, opportunities to
start businesses
associated with the
PAs (e.g. tourism,
175
ATLAS
Budget Code
ATLAS Budget
Description
Budget
reference # Original Budget notes Amount
Justification of Contribution to
Component 1 Outcomes and Outputs
Benefit to Local
Communities
costs of contracting the services of a
local mid-term evaluation consultant
(6 weeks @ US$550/wk) (M&E).
Pro rata (33%) costs of contracting
the services of a local final
evaluation consultant (6 weeks @
US$550/wk) (M&E).
support the mid-term review and terminal
evaluation (required M&E activities).
The M&E costs are prorated across the
three project components, instead of
being separated into another component.
This is standard practice for UNDP-GEF
projects’ ATLAS budget organization.
handcrafts, etc.),
enhanced
environmental
education and
awareness in their
communities,
improved
infrastructure in their
communities,
reduced
environmental
degradation in their
region and
communities,
including reduced
erosion, reduced
poaching of wildlife,
and reduced illegal
collection of wood
and forest products.
71400
Contractual
Services -
Individuals
3
Pro rata (35%) costs of Project
Coordinator (240 weeks @
US$550/wk) (Component 1). Project
coordinator technical functions and
outputs include:
Supervise and coordinate
the production of project
outputs, as per the project
document;
Mobilize all project inputs
in accordance with
procedures for nationally
implemented projects;
Coordinate the recruitment
and selection of project
personnel;
Supervise and coordinate
the work of all project
staff, consultants and sub-
contractors;
Prepare and revise project
work and financial plans;
84,200.00
This budget line covers the share of PMU
staff time (over the 5 year
implementation period) that will be
dedicated to technical aspects of the
project (not project management
activities).
This supports
successful
implementation of
the project, which
will lead to the
various local benefits
expected from
achievement of the
planned project
outcomes and
outputs.
176
ATLAS
Budget Code
ATLAS Budget
Description
Budget
reference # Original Budget notes Amount
Justification of Contribution to
Component 1 Outcomes and Outputs
Benefit to Local
Communities
Liaise with UNDP,
relevant government
agencies, and all project
partners, including donor
organizations and NGOs
for effective coordination
of all project activities;
Oversee and ensure timely
submission of the
Inception Report,
Combined Project
Implementation
Review/Annual Project
Report (PIR/APR),
Technical reports,
quarterly financial reports,
and other reports as may
be required by UNDP,
GEF, TFS and other
oversight agencies;
Disseminate project
reports and respond to
queries from concerned
stakeholders;
Report progress of project
to the SC, and ensure the
fulfillment of SC
directives;
Oversee the exchange and
sharing of experiences and
lessons learned with
relevant community based
integrated conservation
and development projects
nationally and
internationally;
Ensure the timely and
effective implementation
of all components of the
project;
Assist SAEPF and other
relevant government
agencies and project
177
ATLAS
Budget Code
ATLAS Budget
Description
Budget
reference # Original Budget notes Amount
Justification of Contribution to
Component 1 Outcomes and Outputs
Benefit to Local
Communities
partners - including donor
organizations and NGOs -
with development of
essential skills through
training workshops and on
the job training thereby
upgrading their
institutional capabilities;
Carry out regular,
announced and
unannounced inspections
of all sites and project-
funded activities.
71600 Travel 4 Travel costs (flights, vehicle rental,
fuel, daily allowances,
accommodation, etc.) associated to
supervise or/and monitor all the on-
ground works and labor (Output
1.1). Travel costs (rental,
maintenance and fuel costs)
associated with the zoning,
management tools and infrastructure
development in Alatai and Kan-
Achuu PAs and leskhoz
participatory boards operations
(Output 1.1, Output 1.2, Output 1.3.
and Output 1.4)
17,800.00
The main project regions for Component
1 (Toktogul District, and Toguz-toro
District) are located approximately 5-8
hours by car from Bishkek, where
SAEPF headquarters (and all other
technical institutions and experts) are
located. In addition, the actual PA sites
are an additional 1-2 hours travel from
the nearest large town The primary site
for Alatai SNP is ~1 hour from Toktogul
city, while the secondary site, Kara-suu
lake, is ~2+ hours. Kan-Achuu SNP is ~1
hour from Kazarman. Furthermore, the
project includes other targeted existing
PAs that are located in other districts in
Jalal-Abad province, multiple hours drive
from Toktogul or Jalal-Abad city. While
it is expected that SAEPF will be able to
provide some transport, additional
transportation will be required for certain
project activities, such as PA zoning,
development of PA infrastructure,
development of HCVF management
measures for integration into leskhoz
management plans, and start-up of joint
community management boards for both
the PAs and the leskhoz territories.
Travel to and within
the project region
allows project staff
and contracted
experts to collect
input directly from
local communities
and stakeholders on
various aspects of PA
and forest
management, and to
directly view and
understand local
environmental
conditions and
considerations that
relate to the
establishment of
various PA and forest
regimes.
72100 Contractual
Services-5
Institution to facilitate PA and
leskhoz and local communities’
partnership mechanisms building
66,800.00 External third party companies or
organizations are often best placed to
support community partnership building
The establishment of
community
partnerships and
178
ATLAS
Budget Code
ATLAS Budget
Description
Budget
reference # Original Budget notes Amount
Justification of Contribution to
Component 1 Outcomes and Outputs
Benefit to Local
Communities
Companies and awareness raising (Output 1.1)
(Budgeted at a total of $29,800).
Institution to upgrade the status of
HCVF and upgrade enabling frames
on SFM and HCVF (Output 1.2)
(Budgeted at a total of $37,000).
between government institutions and
local communities. This may include the
employment of national NGOs or other
technical institutions.
consultation
mechanisms is
critical to the
successful
implementation of
PA and forest
management regimes.
72200 Equipment and
Furniture 6
Procurement of essential office
furniture, equipment, software, road
maintenance machinery,
surveillance and monitoring
equipment (Output 1.1 and Output
1.4). Procurement (and installation)
of communications technology (i.e.
cellphones, satellite phone or
VHF/FM radio communications) for
Alatai and Kan-Achuu SNPs
(Output 1.1.) Purchase of supplies
for key PA infrastructure, such as
entry gates, storage facilities,
boundary markers, and enforcement
structures.
514,500.00
The project technical approach has been
reviewed, analyzed, and determined to be
the most cost-effective approach for the
operationalization of the two new PAs.
This budget line supports the full
operationalization of the two newly
established PAs that are targeted by the
project, Alatai SNP and Kan-Achuu SNP.
Split between the two PAs and spread
over the five year implementation period
of the project, this equates to only
approximately $50,000/year per PA.
SAEPF has currently tentatively assigned
17 staff to Alatai SNP and 14 staff to
Kan-Achuu SNP. The “Equipment and
Furniture” budget line does not cover
staff costs, but addresses the equipment
and furniture needs to fully support these
staff to operationalize the two PAs. This
includes items such as regulatory
monitoring equipment (e.g. binoculars,
cameras, trail monitoring cameras, ranger
field gear) and scientific equipment (e.g.
lab equipment, biodiversity monitoring
equipment). In addition, offices will be
established for each PA with all
necessary furniture and associated
equipment. Of particular importance is
road maintenance machinery, which is
necessary for PA staff to maintain access
to the PA territory. The two PAs are in
mountainous terrain, and spring
snowmelt flooding often washes out the
unmaintained dirt access roads to the
The
operationalization of
the two new PAs, and
development and
implementation of
their management
plans, requires a
variety of equipment
commonly used for
effective PA
management. As
described in budget
note reference line #2
above, the local
communities have
strongly supported
the establishment of
the two new PAs, and
are anticipating a
variety of benefits
from their full
operationalization.
179
ATLAS
Budget Code
ATLAS Budget
Description
Budget
reference # Original Budget notes Amount
Justification of Contribution to
Component 1 Outcomes and Outputs
Benefit to Local
Communities
PAs. A fully detailed procurement plan
will be developed in collaboration with
SAEPF in the early stages of the project.
72600 Grants 7
Grant fund for incentives for
wildlife anti-poaching activities
(Output 1.4). The grant in this
budget will follow UNDP Micro-
Capital Grants’ policy.
20,000.00
The project is implementing an
innovative approach in Kyrgyzstan to
support community-based management
and enforcement of wildlife regulations.
This includes the use of incentive-based
mechanisms (e.g. rewards for information
related to poaching violations, etc.) to
deter poaching and regulatory violations.
This approach is common in western
countries, but is not in widespread use in
Kyrgyzstan.
This budget line
contributes to the
improved
management and
enforcement of
wildlife regulations,
which supports a
variety of community
benefits, including
reduced poaching.
72800
Information
Technology
Equipment
8 Procurement of essential office
equipment and software to
operationalize new PAs and leskhoz
participatory management boards, as
well as other targeted PA Steering
Boards (Output 1.2, 1.3 and Output
1.4).
20,200.00
This budget line will also support the IT
needs for establishment of the two new
PAs. The use of modern information
technology equipment is essential for
effective PA management.
The establishment of community-based
consultation mechanisms is essential for
the project’s strategy of community-
based PA and forest management.
The implementation
of community-based
management
mechanisms provides
the opportunity for
local communities
voices and input to be
received and
integrated in the
development of PA
and forest
management regimes.
72300 Materials &
Goods 9
Procurement of materials to
construct Alatai and Kan-Achuu
SNPs’ offices, guard huts, and boom
gates for access checkpoints, and
sign placement (Output 1.1).
87,500.00
This budget line directly supports the
operationalization of the two newly
established PAs, Alatai SNP and Kan-
Achuu SNP. The establishment of
boundary markers, access control points,
and enforcement infrastructure such as
guard huts, is essential for the effective
management of the PAs.
As previously
mentioned in budget
note reference line 2,
the local
communities strongly
supported the
establishment of the
PAs, and are eager to
have them fully
operational, so that
they may begin to see
the variety and full
range of expected
benefits.
74200 Audio
Visual&Print 10 Procurement of special services to
develop and publish different 56,000.00 Printing and publication of various
materials is essential for effective
Among other
benefits, local
180
ATLAS
Budget Code
ATLAS Budget
Description
Budget
reference # Original Budget notes Amount
Justification of Contribution to
Component 1 Outcomes and Outputs
Benefit to Local
Communities
Prod Costs information products in national,
regional and local media and social
network on new and existing PA
objectives and functioning as well as
about HCVF (Output 1.1. and
Output 1.2.).
stakeholder communication. communities’
understand and
awareness about PA
and forest
management regimes
and regulations will
be enhanced through
printed materials. In
addition,
environmental
education and
awareness will also
be enhanced, which
is important for the
project’s success.
75700
Training,
Workshops and
Conferences
11
Advanced training courses for
managers, rangers and community
liaison staff in Alatai and Kan-
Achuu SNPs, and Toktogul and
Toguz-Toro leskhozes, as well as for
other PA and leskhozes of the Jalal-
Abad region (Output 1.1,Output 1.2
and Output 1.3). Participatory
Management Board meetings in
target SNP and leskhozes. Pro rata
(33%) costs of translation and
meeting costs for inception
workshop (M&E).
447,815.00
The project’s strategy includes a wide
range of capacity development
approaches, development of technical
documents through stakeholder
consultation, and the implementation of
community-based management
approaches for PAs and forests.
Trainings, workshops and conferences
are essential activities for strengthening
PA management capacity, effective forest
management capacity, and for
implementing community-based
consultative approaches.
Trainings, workshops
and conferences will
include community
participation, as
relevant. In
particular, the
establishment and
implementation of
community-based
management
approaches (e.g.
Participatory
Management Board
meetings) will allow
local communities to
provide their input to
the development and
implementation of
PA and forest
management regimes.
72200 Equipment and
Furniture 12
Cost of one vehicle for each of the
two new SNPs, necessary due to the
long distances and difficult terrain
between SNP offices and PA
locations. Costs of the procurement
of office furniture, vehicle and
equipment for the PMU (Output
1.1.). Vehicle will initially be used
100,000.00
To be covered to UNDP TRAC co-
financing. Considering the large distances
between the project offices and various
project field sites, regular transportation
is essential for both PMU staff and PA
staff. The full-time availability of a
vehicle for the PMU and PA staff is
essential for the successful
The budget line
contributes directly to
the successful
implementation of
the project, and the
effective
management of the
PAs. As described in
181
ATLAS
Budget Code
ATLAS Budget
Description
Budget
reference # Original Budget notes Amount
Justification of Contribution to
Component 1 Outcomes and Outputs
Benefit to Local
Communities
by PMU for project implementation
responsibilities due to the long
distances between project field sites,
difficult terrain, and non-existent
public transportation between sites.
At project completion the vehicle
will be transferred to SAEPF for use
by the SNPs.
implementation of the project, and for the
effective management of the PAs.
budget note reference
2 above, there are a
variety of local
community benefits
anticipated from the
effective
establishment and
operationalization of
the two new PAs.
182
Annex 15: Share of Budget by ATLAS Cost Category Over 5-year Planned Implementation Period for All Components
ATLAS
Budget Code
Cost Category Description Budget
Planned
Share of
Total
Explanation
71200 International Consultants $70,000.00 1.71%
International consultant required for mid-term review and terminal
evaluation.
71300 Local Consultants
$801,570.00 19.61%
All professional and technical personnel inputs from national experts
(not project staff) related to PA management, sustainable forest man-
agement, sustainable land management, snow leopard monitoring, and
wildlife law enforcement.
71400 Contractual Services - Individuals
$240,900.00 5.89%
Includes both A.) The technical inputs provided by project staff in sup-
port of achievement of the planned outcomes and outputs for each of the
three components of the project (70% of costs); and B.) Project man-
agement inputs provided by the project staff (30% of costs).
71600 Travel
$213,200.00 5.21%
The main project office will be in Toktogul District, which is one of the
two primary districts in which the project is working. Toktogul District
is adjacent to the other district, Toguz-toro District, although there is no
quick route between the largest towns in each of the respective districts
(Toktogul city in Toktogul District, and Kazarman in Toguz-toro Dis-
trict). Toktogul city is approximately 5-7 hours by car from Bishkek,
depending on the time of year and road conditions. The UNDP Country
Office, Project Implementation Unit, SAEPF main offices, and all other
national technical institutions and organizations are based in Bishkek.
Therefore it is anticipated that successful implementation of the project
will require transport of project staff, SAEPF staff, UNDP staff, and
contracted experts between Bishkek and the project field sites.
72100 Contractual Services-Companies
$321,900.00 7.87%
As per Budget Note 5: “Institution to facilitate PA and leskhoz and local
communities’ partnership mechanisms building and awareness raising
(Output 1.1) (Budgeted at a total of $29,800). Institution to upgrade the
status of HCVF and upgrade enabling frames on SFM and HCVF (Out-
put 1.2) (Budgeted at a total of $37,000).”
And Budget Note 17: “Institution to identify the boundaries of buffers
zones and corridors and to map them as well as develop appropriate
management regimes jointly with local stakeholders under Output 2.1
(budgeted @US$13,600). Institution to finalize mapping and description
of the targeted pastures providing data for management planning (Out-
put 2.3.) (budgeted @US$19,500). Institution to conduct support to re-
183
ATLAS
Budget Code
Cost Category Description Budget
Planned
Share of
Total
Explanation
forestation and natural forest regeneration activities (Output 2.4.)
(budgeted @US$222,000).”
72200 Equipment and Furniture
$830,500.00 20.31%
Under Component 1 (approximately 74% of the total) this reflects main-
ly the full operationalization of the two newly established PAs, Alatai
SNP and Kan-Achuu SNP. At present these two new PAs exist func-
tionally only on paper, and have no infrastructure, no equipment, and no
furniture that is necessary for effective PA management. SAEPF, the
main national execution partner that is responsible for PA management,
is providing direct and in-kind co-financing to support operationaliza-
tion of these PAs, through staff costs and other direct investment. How-
ever, the project’s funding is required for a significant portion of the
capital investment required to get the PAs up and running, as the na-
tional government does not have cash resources to make these invest-
ments in a comprehensive way anytime in the near future.
The UNDP TRAC co-financing is being used to finance $100,000 USD
of this budget line, leaving the GEF funding at 83% of the total.
Under Component 2 (approximately 26% of the total), this reflects
mainly the project’s investment in reforestation activities, including the
purchase of saplings and relevant hand tools, equipment to plant them,
and fencing to secure their long-term survival.
Additional details are provided in the respective budget notes for this
cost category (budget notes 6 and 18).
72300 Materials & Goods
$87,500.00 2.14%
As per Budget Note 9: “Procurement of materials to construct Alatai
and Kan-Achuu SNPs’ offices, guard huts, and boom gates for access
checkpoints, and sign placement (Output 1.1).”
72600 Grants
$248,000.00 6.07%
For two activities: 1.) Incentive program for community-based man-
agement related to hunting regulations and other natural resource man-
agement regulations; and 2.) Direct micro-grant program for pilot alter-
native livelihoods activities in local communities supporting integrated
approaches to biodiversity conservation / sustainable forest management
/ sustainable land management.
The micro-grant program under Component 2 is budgeted at a total of
184
ATLAS
Budget Code
Cost Category Description Budget
Planned
Share of
Total
Explanation
$200,000, targeting $50,000 per each of the two participating communi-
ties in the two target districts (total of four communities). Based on
UNDP experience from other similar programs in and analysis during
the project development phase, this is considered the maximum ex-
pected absorption capacity for these communities in relation to the
scope of qualifying activities the micro-grants program. If it is deter-
mined in the early phases of the program that the target communities
may have a higher absorption capacity (i.e. if there is a large number of
thematically and technically well-qualified applications to the micro-
grant program) then the budget line for this activity will be revised and
increased as appropriate.
72800 Information Technology Equipment
$62,200.00 1.52%
Various computer hardware and software purchases necessary for suc-
cessful implementation of the project, including support for operational-
ization of Joint Forest Management boards, Joint PA Management
Boards, and implementation of modern approaches to sustainable land
management by Pasture Management Committees.
73100 Rent and office maintenance
$60,000.00 1.47%
$1,000 / month over 5-year implementation period. Includes offices
premises in Toktogul District, and PMU staff presence in Bishkek at
premises of UNDP Project Implementation Unit.
74100 Professional Services - Audit $10,000.00 0.24% Required M&E activity.
74200 Audio Visual&Print Prod Costs $111,565.75 2.73%
Various printing and other related costs necessary for effective project
implementation.
74598 Direct Project Costs $22,431.00 0.55% Related to UNDP Direct Implementation modality.
75700 Training, Workshops and Conferences
$1,008,808.25 24.67%
This budget line represents the largest planned ATLAS cost category for
the project. This reflects the project’s highly participatory and stake-
holder-driven strategic approach. This budget line covers a wide range
of different planned participatory activities at the local, regional, and
national level that are essential for achievement of the expected project
results.
The various trainings, workshops, and conferences involved will result
in direct tangible outputs, outcomes, and benefits foreseen for the pro-
ject. For example, under Component 1, trainings for PA staff will be
conducted on aspects of PA management where critical capacity needs
have been assessed. In addition, for example, workshops will be held to
facilitate a participatory consultation process for the development of the
185
ATLAS
Budget Code
Cost Category Description Budget
Planned
Share of
Total
Explanation
PA management plans. Such trainings and workshops will directly re-
sult in strengthening of the METT score for the two newly established
PAs, which is a key target of the project, and indeed a key target for the
GEF biodiversity focal area globally.
Under Component 2, a significant participatory process will be required
to facilitate stakeholder consensus on the exact boundaries of PA buffer
zones and corridors, and to ensure local community agreement and buy-
in on the specific management measures to be put in place in these
zones. Additional consultations and workshops will then be necessary to
work with local management and local government authorities to ensure
the integration of biodiversity conservation, SFM, and SLM measures
into their local resource management plans and local development
plans. It is only through this consultative process that the project can
effectively reach stakeholder agreement for the achievement of the
planned outputs and outcomes related to this activity.
As per the Budget Notes:
Budget Note 11: “Advanced training courses for managers, rangers and
community liaison staff in Alatai and Kan-Achuu SNPs, and Toktogul
and Toguz-Toro leskhozes, as well as for other PA and leskhozes of the
Jalal-Abad region (Output 1.1,Output 1.2 and Output 1.3). Participatory
Management Board meetings in target SNP and leskhozes. Pro rata
(33%) costs of translation and meeting costs for inception workshop
(M&E).”
Budget Note 22: “Basic training and advanced training on buffer zones
and corridors their biodiversity and special land use regimes in Toktogul
and Toguz-Toro districts (Output 2.1). Basic training on hunting
grounds inventory, management planning in Toktogul and Toguz-Toro
districts and hunting licensing improvement in Bishkek (Output 2.1).
Basic training on hunting grounds inventory, management planning in
Toktogul and Toguz-Toro districts and hunting licensing improvement
in Bishkek (Output 2.1). Training workshops in target districts and
communities to integrate BD / SLM / SFM objectives to local develop-
ment planning (Output 2.2.) Regular coordination meetings of pasture
management devoted projects (Output 2.2). Training workshops in tar-
186
ATLAS
Budget Code
Cost Category Description Budget
Planned
Share of
Total
Explanation
get districts and communities to communicate pasture inventory outputs
and to develop pasture management plans and other modern pasture
management tools (Output 2.3.). Training workshops in target districts
and communities to communicate forest pasture inventory outputs and
to develop forest pasture management plans (Output 2.3.). Workshops
in target districts and communities to communicate forest restoration
plans and results (Output 2.4.). Training workshops in target districts
and communities to communicate Micro grant fund operational proce-
dures as well as micro granting publicity events (Output 2.5.). Pro rata
(33%) costs of translation and meeting costs for inception workshop
(M&E) Component 2.”
Budget Note 28: “Training workshop for identified target groups on
wildlife protection and identification and prosecution of wildlife crime
(Output 3.1.). Workshop to support institutionalization of capacity de-
velopment modules into law enforcement agency action plans (Output
3.1.). Workshops to support establishment of cross-sectoral coordination
mechanism on the provincial and district levels (Output 3.1.). Workshop
to develop capacities of agencies and research institutions to provide
adequate snow leopard monitoring support (Output 3.2). Trainings for
protected area staff (strategically selected, among sites other than Alatai
and Kan-Achuu PAs) on snow leopard and prey monitoring. (Output
3.2.). Training for hunting dept., and National Academy of Sciences on
snow leopard and prey international standards of monitoring (Output
3.2.). Workshop to sign special MOUs on monitoring between protected
areas, National Academy of Sciences, and hunting department, relating
to snow leopard and prey species, with collaboration with relevant in-
ternational partner organizations (Output 3.2). Event to sign an interna-
tional MOU with a genetic laboratory that has experience and technical
capacity to identify snow leopard samples from scats, hair follicles and
blood, located in one of the snow leopard range countries, to have com-
patible and high quality results of analysis for basic (species-level) ge-
netic monitoring of populations and wildlife crime (Output 3.2.). Snow
leopard range countries Summit (Output 3.3.). Regional sharing confer-
ence on snow leopard monitoring (Output 3.3.). Workshops for dissem-
ination of GSLEP best practices in Western Tian Shan region (Output
3.4.) Workshops / events within NSLEP implementation (3.4.).”
Total $4,088,575.00 100.00%